What I've Been Reading
Phosphoresence: on awe, wonder and things that sustain you when the world goes dark by Julia Baird - this book is such a wonderful book for our times, it seems like it was written especially for this year. However, it was published in August 2019 and therefore worked on long before that time. The substance of this book was in reaction to having cancer (three times) and how Julia survived it mentally. I didn't realise this coming into the book and her description of being alone during evenings and facing her illness drew many parallels with my own thoughts during my own cancer. Whilst I had it much easier than her, the thoughts are still much the same. It was profoundly moving to read my own thoughts written by someone else.
The book looks at life through nature and simple things you can do to be still, be present, and enjoy what you have. It is not really a self-help book as you know it, but a guide to seeing life purely and authentically. A lot of the things she delves into I also realised during my illness. She goes far deeper. Phosphoresence, the title, initially talks about creatures that literally shine. Mostly underwater creatures, and that is fascinating. But she then moves to things that make people, especially women, shine. There are chapters on feminism, body image, and loving yourself for how you really are not the vessel you inhabit!
I have been slowly reading this for a few months. I am usually a fast reader, but I really wanted to savoir this. AND it made me think, sometimes I would only read a paragraph and that would send me off thinking about what was written and daydreaming about all sorts of things. As soon as I finished it, I immediately wanted to start it again. It is going to be one of those books! What I call a perpetual read. It is also a calming read, I always felt calm and at peace reading this book. It will be my book of the year and go into my canon of top reads ever. I urge everyone to read this book. Once you do, you will never need to read a self-help book again. Just practice what she talks about and everything will be ok!
Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to Happiness by Bill
Bailey – I loved this book of little essays on being happy. Bill was archiving his stand-up routines during covid and found he touched on certain theme so he pulled the themes together and they turned into a self-help (of sorts). He also feels there are too many self-help books, full of empty promises asking you to do things and practises you will never keep up with. He has pulled together things he does that make him happy. Things anyone can do and probably does. Swimming, being at one with nature, playing putt putt, swearing, writing letters, dogs, singing with others, laughing, belonging, being generous etc.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey - I came to this memoir with a bit of uncertainty as it was also billed as a bit of a self-help type book. I really enjoyed it, it is stories of his life mixed with life lessons he has learnt along the way. Matthew - despite his fun boy demeanor - is quite a deep thinker and has written notes/diaries about his life and thoughts, and how to be a better person for most of his life. Some of his stories show why he has strength of character, especially those of his younger life. For those interested, he does talk about his time on the Central Coast, a lot of it sounds like a complete nightmare. He has stories on set and about other actors that is interesting. A lot of his life lessons fall under red light (stop, don't go there) and green light (go for it). Is this brilliantly written and amazing? No, but it is a fun, easy read that made me smile.
More Myself: a journey by Alicia Keys with Michelle Burford - I enjoyed this 'autobiography' from Alicia Keys. It takes you through her up bringing and musical awakening, her success and the people behind her success. Various people write about her throughout the book, which was a nice addition. I have always loved her music, and it is nice to know she seems to be a lovely person as well.
Resistance: a songwriter's story of hope, change, and courage by Tori Amos - this was an interesting memoir, it goes into the creative process behind some of her music during different stages of her life, how some came simply and others not so much. It also goes through the release of an album just before 9/11 and how she navigated the 'promotion' of that album during world history. It is an open and honest account of songwriting. I really enjoyed it.
She Wants It by Jill Soloway- Jill Soloway created the TV show Transparent, based on her real life family and this book tells the real life version and how she got the show up and running and how she managed the very difficult situation of the actor behind her main character being taken by #metoo and how that altered production. A fascinating look into a fascinating family and her creative processes putting them on the screen.
Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris - I relistened to Sedaris reading this book. Listening to him read his work is such a joy. It is calming and soothing and freakin' hilarious. If you like Sedaris, track down him reading his own work...you can thank me later!
Jacinda Ardern: a new kind of leader by Madeleine Chapman - this was a good basic biography about the spectacular Prime Minister. It takes you through her life up until now. If you know a lot about Jacinda you won't learn much, but it was still a good solid read.
Dear Reader: the comfort and joy of books by Cathy Rentzenbrink - this was about the author's love of books through out her life until now and looking back and reminiscing on those reads. I really enjoyed this book, but wanted more.
To Hell and Back: an autobiography of Niki Lauda - I listened to this on talking book and loved it. Niki always told it like it was and this autobiography is no different. He goes into his private life, his life racing, and his life outside racing including his air fleet. He delves into his big accident, or as he calls it, 'the shunt'. He also dishes the dirt, or what he thought of a lot of racing colleagues. This was fascinating book that would appeal to everyone, but especially F1 fans.
Life Meets Art: inside the homes of the world's most creative people by Sam Lubell - wonderful coffee table book with photos of rooms of creative people such as Francis Bacon, Gabrielle Chanel, Frank Gehry, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Amy Sedaris, Virginia Woolf etc.
Heartache and Birdsong by Sam Bloom - story of lady who accidentally fell off a balcony on holidays when her 2 boys were toddlers and how she has managed since confined to a wheelchair and trying to make the most out of life. This is an honest portrayal of an horrific event.
What I've Been Watching
I'll Be Gone in the Dark - this was an exceptional 6 part documentary series about the Golden Gate Killer and Michelle McNamara's investigation into finding him. Despite loving stories of all sorts, I don't really do true crime. I find it too exhausting, confronting, and sad. I watched this because I knew the back story. Michelle was married to actor/comedian Patton Oswalt, who I adore. She died unexpectedly a few years ago and I remember the story. I knew she was a true crime writer and had been investigating a big rape/murder serial killer but that was it. I know that Patton helped others complete her book and story after her death, and that the killer had been located recently. I also know how much Patton talked about his grief, and also got a lot of flack for marrying quite soon after her passing. He wrote and spoke a lot about both and all I had was respect for him.
So the show is not only about the investigating the serial killer, but about Michelle and her life. What a remarkable and intelligent lady. It goes through her life, her own issues, marrying Patton and the birth of her daughter. She wrote about true crime and got obsessed with this unsolved serial killer. She was so meticulous in her research she won over police and detectives - who would normally not let a regular person into their domain - this gave her investigation and writing the edge it had. The documentary is pulled together with so much love and so much edge. It was totally bingeworthy, and whilst at times quite confronting and heart-breaking - especially when Michelle passes - it was also fascinating and uplifting. The locating - through tenacity, good leads, science, and technology - of the killer is absolutely exhilarating, especially seeing the survivors and their relief. If you love true crime you will love this, but even if you don't give it a go, I think it is one of the best things I have seen in along time.
Ulfiltered : Paris Jackson - this was a short 6 episode online documentary that follows Paris Jackson. It shows her life, her fashion, her band. Fascinating look into her life and her music is astonishingly good. Very different to her family, but good. Obviously she has a lot of issues, but she seems to be surrounded by grounded people who have her best interest. I thought this was an interesting and respectful look into her life.
Monaco - series about the small country, it's inhabitants, and how it works. Having been there, it was a delight to see familiar sights and learn more about the place. It had unprecedented access to the royal family, specifically Prince Albert.
9/11: Inside Air Force One - a great documentary about George Bush and Air Force One on the day of 9/11. It gives us great access to some of the workers and journalists on the plane for the day. Starting when Bush arrives at the school and taking you through the intel of the day, and what the president and the plane got up to. Absolutely fascinating, frightening, and a remarkable insight.
Dolly Parton: 50 years at The Opry - Fabulous celebration of this anniversary for Dolly. Featuring the lady herself, and others like Lady Antebellum and Emmylou Harris.
A West Wing Special - this was a stage play version of an episode with everyone playing their roles to promote voting at the last election. No one had lost their touch, and it was nice to see.
Dolittle - I really wanted to love this film. I love the story and Robert Downey Jnd, and it was fun and good, but just not great. Emma Thompson and some of the other actors voicing the animals.
I Am Woman - this was one of those made for tele movies and it was actually ok. The cast were pretty good, and did well with Helen Reddy's legacy. But really it was the songs and her brilliant, strong voice that shone through.
Brydon & - this was a cute youtube interview series (2 in fact) with Rob Brydon. He interviews a range of friends including Will Ferrell, Ruth Jones, Michael Sheen, Kenneth Branagh, Jimmy Carr, Matt Lucas and much more. Each episode is roughly 20 minutes and you will laugh, what more do you need !!??
Finding Joy - this was a fun series about Joy, who has just been dumped and how she tries to get back into life and dating again. A comedy with a cute dog and hilarious friends, I enjoyed this short series.
I Hate Suzie - this is Billie Piper playing a version of herself. Suzie was a teen singing star and is on a long running zombie show when a salacious photo of her is leaked to the press. The photo is of her and a lover who is not her husband, and creates quite the mess in her life. A dramedy this shows how Suzie initially copes, and then unravels in the face of humiliation. It ends on a cliffhanger, so I was pleased to see it will be picked up for a second series.
What I've Been Listening To
The Doors - been listening to a lot of The Doors lately, always amazing.
20 - Russell Watson - Russell has a magnificent voice, this was a mix of Opera and other tunes, the Opera was significantly better.
Song Machine - Gorillaz - when I started to listen to this I was impressed at how they emulated The Cure and Beck in the first few songs, it wasn't until I looked at the sleeve notes that I realised it was actually Robert Smith and Beck singing on those songs. The album was good, with song really great songs and some so so ones.
Blue Note Reimagined - sublimely cool and hip, this was fabulous.
2020 - Bon Jovi - this seemed a bit too try hard and didn't really sound like Bon Jovi at all, bar a couple of songs.
TRUTH - Guy Sebastian - I didn't mind this, but just do not understand why someone with such a rich and beautiful voice would use autotune as much as he does.
I Am Woman Soundtrack - sound track to the movie with all songs performed by the actress, Chelsea Cullen.
Rough and Rowdy Ways by Bob Dylan - I love this so much, it is the best thing he has done in a long time, probably since Modern Times. He sounds amazing, the songwriting is superb, the storytelling even better. It is possibly the best album I have heard all year. A masterpiece!
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