OCTOBER REVIEWS

What I've Been Reading

All Our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton  - I loved Trent’s first book, Boy Swallows Universe, it took me a while to get into (2 goes in fact) but once I did it was a wild and brilliant ride. I loved the ending, I loved the pathos, I loved the love. The follow-up was going to be a difficult and it came much sooner than we expected. I went into it with excitement and great trepidation, but I need not have been worried. It was another masterpiece, initially I proclaimed it better than the first, but with time it as good for sure, better, I am unsure. 

It is the story of Molly Hook, the gravedigger’s young daughter, with the backdrop of WWII in Darwin. After a series of awful events, Molly – who believes her family and life is cursed – embarks on a quest into the outback to overturn the curse. With her is Greta, a saucy actress with big dreams, and Yukio, a Japanese Pilot. It is so beautifully written, so descriptive you can see everything in your mind’s eye, and so very much full of Dalton’s huge heart. It is funny, dramatic, romantic, and a little bit magical. There were times during the outback quest that felt a little forced or too unrealistic and could have been pared back a bit, but really that was minor for me. It doesn’t pack the punch of Boy Swallows Universe, but it is still endearing and stays with you days after reading. That is a testament to fabulous  writing!

More Than A Woman by Caitlin Moran – this is the follow up to the best seller, How To Be A Woman and is outstanding. Moran has a quick and sharp wit, but also a lot of heart. The book is divided into the times of the day with a particular subject matter. It is mostly about being a middle-aged woman and how it is not all it is cracked up to be. Dealing with teenagers, ageing parents, job frustrations, keeping romance alive, and the ever changing body of a woman. I loved her chapter that directly addresses men, and wept at her chapter on her teenage daughter’s eating disorder. She also hilariously spoke about the silly names given to the parts of an overweight or ageing body. I’ve loved Moran since I read her essay on libraries about a decade ago, she called libraries, “Cathedrals for the soul” and that’s good enough for me. I always feel like I am listening to a good friend when I read her books. I am sure you will too.

Gotta Get Theroux This: my life and strange times in television - Louis Theroux- I like Louis, and him reading his own memoir is great. It goes into his childhood, his upbringing, commencing documentary work and television in the UK and the US, getting his start on TV Nation with Michael Moore (I had forgotten about that, I also didn’t realise his father IS Paul Theroux and his cousin is Justin!). Then getting his TV show up and running, with a lot of behind the scenes detail. It was all fascinating, but he spends a hell of a lot of time on the subject of Jimmy Savile. I feel he is trying to make up for giving this monster air time. It is uneven, too much, and quite obvious he had no idea who Jimmy really was, as did many. There is much about his personal life, and long suffering partners. I found it interesting, just way too much Jimmy.

The Serenity Passport: a world tour of peaceful living in 30 countries by Megan C Hayes – this was a fascinating insight into how other countries relax and chill. From different types of yoga, to sleep, fiestas, and meditation, and much more. I found this was wonderful to read during covid, it made me feel calm and comforted.

Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid – this is the story of Emira, a young African-American babysitter, and Alix her employer, a privileged white woman. On the surface it is an easy fun read about a young girl’s coming of age, working, romance, friends. But it is really a story of race relations, the complexities and confusions. I don’t really want to mention the plot as there are too many spoilers. This is a worthwhile read, I quite enjoyed it.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Yuong  - this is the stunning debut novel from Vietnamese writer, Ocean Yuong. It is written as a long form love letter to his mother. Little Dog, as he is called, retells his own life story and family history in his words. It is expansive in the subject matter, but spare in word count. It has a few twists, and some sad turns of events, but is ultimately uplifting with some humour along the way. Highly Recommend.

What I've Been Watching

Succession S2  - wow, S2 upped the ante on this despicable family that you cannot stop watching. The acting is phenomenal, the stories outlandish but watchable, the sets out of this world. There is a yacht so big in one episode they land helicopters on it. S2 picks up where S1 left off, the kids are still vying for Dad’s approval and the Number 1 position on the board. There is more to acquire, or swindle. This show is delicious and I just gobbled up S2. Look out for some new supporting cast members, amazing performances there too, but no spoilers.

Schitts Creek S6 – I love this show so very much. This was the final season and it was perfect. The Rose family have come a long way and their growth is at the heart of this show. There is so much to remember with these 4 main characters and all the amazing supporting cast too. The fashion, the music, the humour, the inclusivity, the love. The things I loved the most was David and Patrick’s stunning relationship, everyone should be so lucky. David’s fashion and facial expressions, I just adore him. Eugene Levy as Johnny Rose, stoic, proud, and just a beautiful man. Alexis and her growth and her performance of A little bit Alexis and Moira! Oh Moira, the accent, the clothes, the wigs, the shoes, the singing, the crow, her babees. What a utterly original and fabulous and hilarious character. I also loved Stevie and her stunning performance in Cabaret, and her beautiful friendship with David. The supporting characters, every single one, shone. But it was the Rose family that made me smile the most, after all the show was about them. If you have yet to discover this, give it a go. It takes a couple of seasons to reach its height and warmth, but it is more than worth it. Those first 2 seasons are not bad, they are really good just they get exceptional from there on.

Secrets of the Museum – this is a fabulous series which delves behind the scenes of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It looks at various items from the collection in each episode. Some are in need of repair or mending. Some paintings get touched up, some taken down for reframing or to loan to another gallery. Some items are new and being accessioned, one episode featured a stunning large piece of photography of Bowie as Ziggy from the Hunky Dory sittings. Other episodes show the teams looking for pieces to add to their collection for a particular special exhibit, eg Costumes, cars etc. All of the history of the pieces or artists are discussed with inside stories. This is such a treat, I hope they do more.

Staged – this was a COVID show, with a simple premise. David Tennant and Michael Sheen were meant to do a play together and then COVID hit, so the director suggested they practise via Zoom and be ready for when theatres open back up. This is obviously loosely scripted and they are playing accentuated versions of themselves, but ultimately it feels like an intimate look into both of their lives. Their partners feature and presumably the more intimate aspects, eg Sheen’s neighbour are for real. Other actors – no spoilers but absolutely hilarious – appear, but it is the bromance between Sheen and Tennant or is it Tennant and Sheen that just makes you smile. It was a sheer delight to watch, it made my month!!! And there is going to be another season!!!

Anh Do’s Brush with Fame – this was an outstanding season with Anh chatting to and painting Todd Sampson, Father Bob, Jack Thompson, Sophie Delezio, and Michelle Payne amongst others. There were the usual tears and laughter and stunning portraits. Anh is a National Treasure, may this show continue as long as there are interesting and inspirational people to paint.

Trip To Greece - this is meant to be their last hurrah, it was the weakest series of the 4, but still very good. I love Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon on these travelogue shows, funny and melancholy versions of themselves. Greece was stunning of course. Still better than anything else you will see.

Mission Galapagos – a fascinating show on the magical Galapagos Islands, with footage for the first time from a submersible machine. It delves the real depths of the ocean around the island discovering some animals for the first time. It also shows how the animals there evolve over time. The sea monitor lizards are growing smaller as El Nino changes the habitat. The smaller they are the less food they need and the more agile they become. 

Top Ten Treasures of Egypt - this was a great documentary about some of the known and unknown treasures in Egypt. Bethany Hughes takes us on the journey and her simplicity in presenting the knowledge is what makes this documentary stand out. She takes us into places unseen by cameras and regular people, like right up into the pyramids. I have seen a lot of docos of Egypt, but this was excellent.

Hillary - this was a great four part documentary about the great woman. It goes through her history with interviews from then and now. Many others are also interviewed. It was absolutely fascinating, especially when we get to Bill's misgivings, oh boy, she is still shirty (understandably) about that, Similarly, when Bill was asked about that, he pretty much breaks down. But there is more to Hillary than Bill, and there is much to love within. She is not perfect, but I really admire her.

Once were brothers: Robbie Robertson and the band – a documentary about The Band, but featuring Robbie Robertson mostly. I feel like it was a little one sided and he was trying to make amends. It is a difficult one to point, but ultimately was an engaging and enjoyable watch, mostly due to the early comradery of the boys and their great music.

The Eulogy: the untold story of Australia's Greatest clasical pianist  - this is the documentary of Geoffrey Tozer, a piano prodigy who was not that well known, mostly due to his self-sabotage nature.  A fascinating insight into the man, the people around him and how things went wrong. Paul Keating and Richard Gill feature as supporters.

Half the Picture is a great documentary about women directors and the lack of them in Hollywood. Featuring a lot of women directing today, looking at the very short list of predecessors, and looking to the future.

Akashinga: the braves ones – following a fierce group of women who have been trained as an elite group whose job it to protect wildlife across Africa. The women include single mums, victims of domestic violence and rape, and abandoned wives.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood - this was a sweet film with Tom Hanks as the supporting role of Mr Rogers, who befriends a cynical journalist played by Matthew Rhys (The Americans). I wasn't sure what to expect, and it is hard to describe, but well worth a watch.

What I've Been Listening To

Homegrown – Neil Young – NY keeps churning out good, solid albums and this is another.

Is Thomas Callaway – Ceelo Green – I really enjoyed this fun, soulful album. His voice is sublime.

When we all fall asleep, where do we go – Billie Eilish – I really appreciated and liked this album, but I have to say, I don’t get the hype. I like the experimental tones, but that is mostly the instrumental parts. Her voice is actually great, when she sings…as opposed to talking/whispering. I guess it is different and I think – for me – it is a slow burn, and is growing on me.

One World by Billy Ocean – this is a very easy album to listen to, a little bit reggae, a little bit calypso, a little bit R&B. Billy has aged well and sounds great. No real pop hits here, just a nice solid album.

This Dream of You by Diana Krall – a collection of covers from studio recordings over the year. Diana is laid back and soothing as always, her piano playing ever divine. This is a quieter album and less jazzy but really lovely. I’ll never tire of Krall.

Podcasts

Butterfly Effect by Jon Ronson – this is a short one off (as such) podcast by Ronson on pornography, specifically free online porn. I love Ronson and his ability to find beauty in every odd or strange thing in this world he engages, learns, and presents without judgement. There we all should go! Please don’t let the porn factor put you off. His stories are about those sidelined or swept up or effected by the industry and it is quite a relevation.

Marlon and Jake: Read it Forward – this is a podcast about books in The Canon, by Booker Prize winning author, Marlon James and his editor Jake Morrissey. They pick a topic, eg Desert Island Reads, Fantasy, Memoir, Trashy Novels, Myths and Legends etc. The books they discuss have to be by dead authors and classics. It is interesting and funny, they often don’t see eye to eye and hilariously debate the differences. If you love the classics and don’t mind your favourites possibly taking a hit, this is for you. There is a lot of love for most of The Canon, but there are some weaknesses in their eyes. Loved this one soooo very much.

Smartless -  is a new podcast with Sean Hayes, Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman. Long time friends, it feels like you are eavesdropping in on dinner or drinks. The premise is one of them organises a guest but doesn’t tell the other two, so no prep from them. It is funny, crazy, and interesting. Guest thus far include Melissa McCarthy, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Robert Downey Jnr, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler, you get the picture.

WTF with Marc Maron -  Maron is prolific as ever despite COVID and his partner passing unexpectedly. He’s working through his grief and anxiety (as always ) through his podcast. For those that do not know he has been pumping out solid 70-90 minute interviews for about a decade. He really established the podcast and what he doesn’t know about popular culture isn’t worth knowing. He started interviewing comedians (he is one himself) and then branched out and has interview just about everyone from Obama to his neighbour. And this month he is on fire with guests such as John Cusack, Wynton Marsalis, Wayne Coyne, Patti Smith, and Matthew McConaughey. All of which were utterly brilliant. All his interviews are great, but some just transcend (especially if he has real chemistry with the interviewee. Patti and Wayne really did that, it was utter joy to listen to.

David Tennant Does a Podcast  - the affable Tennant is back with a new series, this time featuring Jim Parsons, George Takei, Judi Dench, Dan Levy, Tim Minchin, Elizabeth Moss, Neil Gaiman, Billie Piper and many more. They were all great, but Tennant and Gaiman was so great I thought I would need smelling salts! If you are not listening to this you are really missing out.