NOVEMBER REVIEWS

NB/ I was about to hit publish on this and somehow lost it all. I had to rewrite, it is not as good as it was, and I am sure bits are missing. Damn you Blogger!

What I've Been Reading

Faith, Hope, and Carnage by Nick Cave and Sean O'Hagan

This is one of the best books I have read this year. Based on a series of conversations with Nick Cave, Sean simply transcripts them. 

And it is magnificent.

They cover a lot, so many subjects with a lot of depth and a lot of darkness. They talk about Nick's son who died unexpectedly very young and the grief that followed. They talk about his music, before and after, the writing, the recording and producing. The synchronicity of music, life, etc. 

It is not all dark, there is much humour and uplifting sections, it is balanced beautifully. He talks about The Red Hand Files and how important it is to him and how seriously he takes the stories and questions sent to him. He talks about his family and Susie and his love of ceramics.

There is so much more, if you are a fan you will simply melt, if you are not a fan, you will become one. This is truly a must read.

A Pocketful of Happiness: a memoir by Richard E Grant

A two-part memoir. About the final year of his wife's life after being diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. It also delves into his life in movies and television, his Oscar race and love of Barbra Streisand. This later part stops the other from getting too heavy and upsetting.

He is a born storyteller, and an avid diary writer since a young boy. He takes his stories from his diaries. And whilst parts are heavy, there is so much light and humour too. If you follow Richard on Instagram, and you must, you will totally understand.

His wife, Joan, was a respected dialect coach for actors, and many spent time or sent gifts during her illness. Without coming across too name-droppy, Richard details some of this, including Nigella Lawson sending a taxi full of home cooked meals for the week to them every Sunday and Prince Charles (at the time) coming to visit with Mangos, her favourite fruit.

His stories cover Withnail, Spice Girls, Star Wars, Loki and so much more. His joy of being Oscar nominated was well documented too, including his unabashed excitement of meeting people and having a selfie with them. He also tells the tale of meeting his great love since a mid teen, Barbra Streisand, which is so very glorious. 

This is an excellent read, not a long read, but totally worth your while.

Left on the Tenth: a second chance at life by Delia Ephron

Delia is the sister of Nora, and is also a writer/essayist. She says she's the lesser sister, not as good a writer. This is not true, she is amazing. This memoir is about a couple of crazy years in her life. Nora and her beloved husband have both died of cancer. Nora's was a genetic type of cancer that Delia has the markers for but may not necessarily get. She is very aware of what may happen. 

During this time she unexpectedly falls in love, in her 70s, the kind of story her sister would write and make a film about. And when she was just settling into this new life, the cancer she feared reared its ugly head. The memoir includes all of this and more in deep detail. It is sad and worrying at times but mostly it is joyful and funny. I loved this, I miss Nora, but am thrilled Delia is still here. 

Mirka Mora: a life making art by Sabine Cotte

I have read many books on Mirka who I love, but this memoir combines and details how she goes about her art, and in a very detailed way. What joy! Sabine knew Mirka and spent time with her. She writes about Mirka's inspiration and techniques, and how she felt about her art. It is glorious and out there and amazing, as you can only imagine. For fans of Mirka and the creative process.

Music is History by Questlove

Questlove writes a year by year history of music, from 1971 and details music against the backdrop of what happened historically that year. It ranges trends and interests, intertwined with the news. An easy read, but an interesting one.

Rock Concert: a high-voltage history, from Elvis to Live Aid by Marc Myers

An interesting, but not definitive book about rock concerts, encompassing some of the more famous like Live Aid, Elvis' comeback special, Woodstock and everything between. 

The Guy Who Decides: Australia's funniest social media sensation by Jimmy Rees

A fun read covering the social media memes that Rees put out during the pandemic. Lots of laughs, but not a lot of new content.

No Time Like the Future: an optimist considers morality by Michael J Fox

Another memoir from Fox covering the most recent years. He has had a lot of health set-backs, but keeps his optimistic view of it all, even through the darker periods. It also covers some of his smaller and most recent roles on television.

Glossy: the inside story of Vogue by Nina-Sophia Miralles

Glossy was a good title for this, and whilst I enjoyed the read, I wanted more. It was really just a padded history that glossed over all that happened. Worth reading if you love Vogue, but don't expect a lot of detail.

You're Doing it Wrong: a history of bad and bonkers advice to women by Kaz Cooke

A hilarious look at how women have been treated over the years as only Kaz Cooke can present. The way men treated us, and how we were told to react...or not. I had a blast reading this.

Free Fall by Ben Quilty

Ben's latest book covers fighting and violence, loads of copies of his paintings and descriptions etc. Ben always makes you think deeply and I love that.

Yiayia Next Door by Daniel Mancuso

This is the cook book based on the insta series. Daniel and his brother started showing pics on Insta of the food their next door neighbour would gift them after their mother died (at the hand of their father, her estranged husband). Yia Yia, as she is known, shares some of her recipes with money going to domestic violence. This is a lovely, comforting cook book with snippets of stories. 

What I've Been Watching

Days of Bagnold Summer

One of the best indie films I have seen in a long time. About a middle aged Librarian and her teenage son. He is meant to spend the summer with his father and his new family in the US, but it is cancelled and he is stuck at hom. His mother tries her best to keep him happy, but in his mid teens, he is a sulky metal head and is keen on causing trouble. It is a coming of age story, it is funny, and it is just wonderful. Earl Cave (yes, son of Nick) absolutely shines as the teen. Wonderful supporting cast, and fabulous soundtrack by Belle and Sebastian!

The Batman

I really enjoyed the new The Batman, with - of all people - Robert Pattinson. I wasn't so sure going in, but he was great. Colin Farrell was unrecognisable and brilliant as The Penguin. LIkewise Paul Dano as The Riddler. Great supporting cast of Andy Serkis, John Turturro, Zoe Kravitx, and Jeffrey Wright.

Then Came You

Look, this was pretty crap, but I really miss Craig Ferguson and he was the star. A woman, Kathie Lee Gifford, goes on a trip overseas to scatter the ashes of her late husband. She falls in love with Ferguson's character, an owner of a castle she stays at. But he is engaged to be married...

Cyrano

Another version for Cyrano, and a good one. Is there a bad one? Starring the wonderful Peter Dinklage in the lead and is a great movie.

The Bad Guys

A load of fun, from Australian author Aaron Blabey. Features a mix of nasty animated characters intent on a bank heist. But is it really worth it, will they turn from bad guys to good guys. 

Ammonite

Kate Winslet plays a paleontologist in the late 1800s, working seriously and solo along the coast and making amazing discoveries. A colleague leaves his wife (Saoirse Ronan) in her care. They have an affair. This is a wonderful movie, very dramatic, very sensual, but I wanted more paleontology.

Fisk S2

If you haven't seen Fisk you are missing out, this is such a great comedy, tight cast set in a flailing law firm. You will laugh out loud, one of the best Australian comedies I have seen in recent times.

What I've Been Listening To

B'52s

I enjoyed listening to Bouncing off the Satellites, I have not listened to this album in a long long time, it got quite a few spins, and there was much dancing and singing.

Madonna

I picked up True Blue and a few 12 inch singles on vinyl, so enjoyed spinning these during Madge's heyday!

Lizzo

Loving Lizzo's new album, Special, loads of great tracks, very pop and a few laid back tunes.

80s

Continuing slowly with my 1980s compilations over Sunday brunch, so many great tunes to be heard and I am working on a blog of them!

TISM

TISM is everywhere at the moment, so a walk down memory lane was necessary, there is much out there on the web, so I didn't need to get out my CDs. They have done some guerilla gigs leading up to their tour, and much of it is up there!

Now I've just got to get I'm on the Drug that Killed River Phoenix out of my head!

WTF with Marc Maron - Neil Gaiman

If you love Neil, you will love this, finally on WTF, a great interview, as Marc would say, Do it up!