What we loved: June 2023
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What we loved: June 2023
A surprise reunion, two good witches and that cursed Ticketek 'lounge'.
This month, a secret that I (Caitlin) have kept from Michelle all year were both accidentally revealed and happened. Ahead of Michelle and Jack’s move, a bunch of friends organised a weekend away, and the fact that I was attending was a secret until last week. Accidentally revealed one week out, but still pretty surprising! Then, thanks to cancelled flights across the east coast, I had to fly to Rockhampton via Hobart (yes, in Tasmania. The opposite direction!) But all that matters is that we do get to spend some extra time together before the big move on a super fun weekend away with our friends.
Book culling has also been in full swing for Michelle ahead of the move – hopefully, you all appreciate how tricky it is and applaud the fact she’s probably donated about 200+ already. (Non-bookish people don’t understand the difficulty here)
What did you read/watch/listen to this month? Leave us a comment and let us know!
*denotes review copy
Reading
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
A big chunky non-fiction recommendation here! Say Nothing is a book I was seeing everywhere when we first moved to the UK in 2019, and I absolutely see why now. It combines history and true crime to examine The Troubles with a focus on the story of Jean McConville, who was abducted in front of her children in 1972. I picked this up mid-reading slump and was instantly drawn into the narrative (a mark of my favourite kind of non-fiction). Despite the size and historical focus of Say Nothing, I found myself absolutely racing through it and thinking about it every time I put it down.
– Michelle
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
I haven’t read any of Curtis Sittenfeld’s books, but was immediately interested in the premise of this one. A female staff writer on (not SNL) The Night Owls and a male pop star meet on the show and fall in love. Flipping the real-life romance trope we’ve seen play out with Pete Davidson and many beautiful guests, Scarlett Johanson and Colin Jost, Emma Stone and her husband Dave McCary. The first part of this book follows writer Sally and pop star Noah as they work together the week he’s hosting the show. Then a few years later they reconnect during COVID lockdown. I adored this book! I loved the glimpse at making a weekly sketch show, I loved their emails and reconnection during COVID, I love both these characters. Love it and I’m excited to go back and read more from Sittenfeld now.
– Caitlin
The People on Platform 5 by Clare Pooley
This is the kind of contemporary fiction I just love, the kind that feels like a big warm hug in a book. We’re introduced to several people – Iona, Sanjay, Piers, Emmie, David and Martha – who are connected only by the fact their lives all intersect on a commuter train in London. They get to know each other – eventually, all helping each other in unexpected ways. This is a fairly lighthearted book with some really touching moments and a few difficult things dealt with really well. Just an all-around enjoyable read!
– Michelle
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli*
Many of us will have read Simon vs The Homosapians Agenda and Becky’s other books. And many of us will be aware of the discussions of a straight woman writing about queer teens. Becky came out in 2020 and I also recommend reading her piece on Medium if you haven’t. Imogen, Obviously was born from the question, ‘how could I miss my own queerness?’ It’s a fresh coming out story about a girl who’s everyone’s favourite ally, the token straight in her group of friends. After a weekend visiting a friend at college and meeting all her queer friends, (and one girl in particular!) she starts questioning herself.
– Caitlin
Watching
The Ultimatum: Queer Love
My brain is very overwhelmed with our impending international move and trash TV is the balm. A lovely friend recommended The Ultimatum: Queer Love to me and I devoured it in a few days. I’ve since told multiple people to watch it because I love some drama, and I love that it’s queer.
– Michelle
Never Have I Ever
If you haven’t watched this absolutely brilliant teen comedy, then get on it! The fourth and final season dropped this month, and I loved it so much I went back and rewatched the whole series. Created by Mindy Kaling, Never Have I Ever follows Indian-American teen Devi and her friends as they navigate high school. In the first season, we start off with Devi determined to lose her virginity and still mourning her father after he passed away the year before. Devi’s family, her friends, her love interests, and other class mates make such a phenomenal cast. You’ll fall in love with all of them. #TeamBen
- Caitlin
Years and Years
I tried to watch this in 2021, but it was just not the right time emotionally. Plus, the first episode introduces a transhumanism storyline which felt a little weird and silly. I tried again last week – this time was sucked into an emotional and unsettling story following a British family across the decade from 2019 to 2029. Written by Russell T Davis (who also wrote It’s a Sin), Years and Years was released in 2019, aka before everything really went mad. I think that’s why I struggled with the confronting political and social elements explored in the series the first time I tried to watch it. Imagine Black Mirror but even closer to now and not so futuristic. Overall I was captivated by the story of how this family faced so much upheaval and came to really care for most of the characters. Not exactly something I’m itching to re-watch, though, given how uneasy it made me feel.
– Michelle
Across The Spiderverse
In case you have any doubts about watching yet another Spiderman trilogy of movies, let me convince you. a) The animation style of Into The Spiderverse and this sequel are so beautiful and interesting to watch. b) The classic story of Spiderman is so compelling, it’s no wonder we never tire of it and can love each new Spiderman as they appear on our screens. c) That’s literally what this movie is about. The cannon of the Spiderman story, those key elements that must happen to every hero spider to make them who they are - is there really no way out? d) It’s really funny, and the music also rocks.
- Caitlin
Listening
Atomic Habits by If Books Could Kill Podcast
The stranglehold this book has on the business owner/freelance community is, quite frankly, absurd. I’ve resisted reading it for years but always wondered what’s so great about it. Turns out, not that much! Okay, that’s probably a bit harsh, but as co-host Peter explains in the episode, the most useful tidbits are included in the podcast. So if, like me, you’ve seen this around and wondered if it’s worth the read, you can just listen to this instead!
– Michelle
The Show by Niall Horan
New album from Niall Horan! I was a bit obsessed with his second album, Heartbreak Weather, when it came out in early 2020 so I was very excited for this. It’s a lovely listen, probably a bit more similar to his first album, Flicker. My favourites are ‘If You Leave Me’ and ‘Must Be Love’, plus ‘You Could Start A Cult’ because what a title!
- Caitlin
Grenfell Tower by Redhanded Podcast
I’ve recommended Redhanded several times, but I felt like this episode deserved its own shout-out. I still remember walking being in the newsroom on the day this was unfolding (given the time differences, the footage was starting to be shown in the middle of our workday). I knew some of the details about faulty cladding, but this podcast really lays it all bare and explains the policy decisions of successive governments that ended in catastrophe. It’s a heartbreaking and tragic story, but one that should be remembered.
– Michelle
Taylor Swift’s discography
A ridiculous recommendation, I know. But it was the only thing in rotation this month apart from Niall, Maisie, and my regular podcasts. I listened to all 10 albums between Aus dates being announced Wednesday, June 21 and pre-sale on Wednesday, June 28, to manifest getting tickets. I am one of The Lucky Ones who survived The Great War, but I was not … Ready For It.
- Caitlin
Something else
The Good Witch by Maisie Peters (and mutual obsessions with friends)
Since I (Michelle) started listening to Maisie on Caitlin’s insistence, I have become completely obsessed with her incredible songwriting. So, we’ve been counting down the days until her second album, The Good Witch, is released, and now it’s finally here!
Michelle’s verdict: This album is perfection. I listened to it three times just on the first day. I am totally obsessed and in love with every single song. I can’t pick a favourite, and for the first time (maybe ever?) there’s not a single song I want to skip when I re-listen. Absolute magic with the most brilliant woman-living-her-best-life vibe. I’m always drawn to the boppier songs, but over several full-album listens this week ‘Want You Back’ and ‘There It Goes’ have really grown on me. I’ve even got Jack and several other friends listening, too.
Caitlin’s verdict: I’m so glad Michelle is enjoying Maisie, with this release I fear she may already be a bigger fan than I am! It’s always interesting to try and guess what songs I might like based on the tracklist, and on The Good Witch I was completely off. I agree that there’s not a single skip, but my favourites are ‘Watch’, ‘BSC’, ‘Wendy’, and ‘You’re Just A Boy (And I’m Kinda The Man)’.
- Caitlin & Michelle