OCTOBER REVIEWS

 What I've Been Reading

Lily's Little Flower Shop by Lisa Darcy - enjoyed this light romantic comedy. Lily gives up the big job in Sydney to open up a flower shop in a small seaside town. Out of her depth but feeling free for the first time in years, Lily learns the business, get to know the quirky characters, and slowly enjoys this new life. She gets to know the community through births, deaths, marriages, birthdays and all the other life events flowers are ordered for and maybe she might even fall in love. This was just the book I needed to get me out of my reading mojo, not too heavy, not too light.

A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu - Jena was a child prodigy, touring the world and playing the violin. After a break down she leaves the musical world behind only to try and regain her place in her early 20s. In the years prior to that she has filled the void left from music and attention with sex. She has a relationship with a much older man. But when she gets a temporary gig with the New York Philharmonic things really change for her. New York not only gives her the opportunity to regain her form in the music world but opens up a lot of options sexually, and lets her live out the fantasy of her favourite film Frances Ha (I too love this film and its references really added to the story). Will she mess up the music with her other escapades or can she juggle both, and what of her life back in Sydney that she has to return to when the gig is up? This was a sheer delight, fresh and fun, interesting and sexy. I loved all the behind the scenes of the classical musical world, it felt real. I loved her open sexuality and the Frances Ha links. She could be a challenging character, but my god she was interesting! I cannot recommend this book enough.

The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery - this was the most fascinating book. The author, Sy, was on 'friendly' terms with a lovely Octopus called Athena, and wrote an article about this that went viral. Shocked at the attention, she decided to immerse herself in all things Octopus and find out why people are drawn to them. This is the book of her research. Firstly, whilst this does contain a load of factual information about Octopuses, Octopi, Octopodes (yes, all three terms are correct), it is never dry or boring. Sy's love of these alien-like creatures comes across beautifully in the book. And additionally to the information is Sy's own story of her travel and research and her passion shines through. Like me, I am certain you will hang on her every word. I was fascinated with this story. The intellect of an Octopus was outstanding, the things she witnessed, their humour, their sadness, their kindness. They remembered certain people and even joked around with them. She travelled far and wide with her research, but it was always grounded with her local aquarium, where she met Athena and many more Octopi. These stories grabbed me the most, as you fell in love with these sea characters. I really don't know what else to say except I loved it, and am still thinking about it.

Last Chance Texaco - Rickie Lee Jones- a fascinating insight into the early life of Rickie Lee Jones. Usually I am not a huge fan of autobiographies delving into early years with the amount of detail she did. However her early life was a huge catalyst for her music. If, like me, you have ever listened to her debut album and wondered where she got those amazing stories and lyrics (and music) from at such a young age, this book will tell you. That old beyond her years life is totally blown open here. It also covers this early period in detail, Tom Waits, Chuck E, Dr John etc. She is such a great storyteller and fascinating character. I delighted in the detail and the characters she met along the way. Her hard work, that fabulous debut album and all the attention that came after. This is a brilliant autobiography.

What I've Been Watching

Too Soon: comedy after 9/11 - this was a great documentary about comedy and when it is ok to tell a joke about something not so funny, eg 9/11. With interviews from a whole range of comedians, covering those that took to comedy after 9/11 and uplifted everyone, to those that did not get it right. That fine line is investigated with humour and is absolutely fascinating!

Write Around the World with Richard E Grant- what a bloody delight this was. A way too short series, where Grant heads to Spain, Italy, and France with some of his favourite books that were written in those countries and visits what may have inspired those authors. Grant is such an upbeat, loveable guy, he makes this already amazing series an absolute treat. His easy ability has him conversing with locals and eating their food and savouring their landscape as he reads passages from these amazing books. I want more!!!!

Succession S1/2 - been rewatching these in anticipation of S3. I think this is my favourite show at the moment, it is delicious and fast paced. No one is likeable, but everyone is thoroughly entertaining, and it is funny. Laugh out loud funny, darkly funny, and amusing, which is difficult to pull off in what is essentially a drama based on a wealthy media family that is in danger of folding. Bring on S3.

GoGos - this documentary was quite the revelation to me! I enjoyed We got the Beat and Our Lips are Sealed and a few others, but never really knew this band. So this documentary educated me on their kick arse punk background, my mind was completely blown. They were fucking amazing. After a few band changes, the line up was settled and they started to slow a few of their songs down and realised the punk turned into perfect pop, thanks to the brilliant song writing of Kathy, their bass player. They became famous (after years and years of hard slog) and ended up on a tour with The Police, where their album eclipsed The Police on the Top 40 and was insanely popular. Of course, what goes up, must come down. But what groundbreakers they were, and all girl band that writes their own material, no Svengali, just original girl power. The doco ends with the lament of why they have not been entered into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, and I am pleased to say it must have worked as they recently have!

What I've Been Listening To

Man-Machine - Kraftwerk -  classic album, never dates or goes out of style. 

Solid Gold Hits - Beastie Boys - this was a great vinyl find and a lot of fun.

24 Karat Gold: songs from the vault - Stevie Nicks - newish album, of songs Stevie has written over the years but never released...until now and they are gold standard!

Dusty in Memphis - Dusty Springfield - classic live album, sounds as fresh as the year it was released,

Nevermind - Nirvana - 30 years - what is there is say, instant classic and still holds up. My copy is a beautiful blue vinyl!

Swinging on nothing - Swing'n Sidewalks - They were the houseband for the Big Gig, great vinyl find, great big brassy sound. Bouncy and uplifting.