When I first started writing these newsletters, as I’ve so lovingly come to think of them, I promised to include recommendations of books, films etc, yet so far most of my newsletters have basically been journal entries.
And so as we approach the halfway point of the year, (or are we already past it?) I thought I could take a look back at the last six months and share what I’ve been loving, what I’ve been recommending, a mini wrap up if you will. Though once I’d started to compile a list of all the things I’d like to recommend it became quickly apparent that this would need to be two newsletters. First up is the extremely generous bracket of *media*.
TV Series
Fallout
Based on the video game franchise, this was a series that I thought was definitely aimed at Andy rather than me. I had no prior understanding of the game, but don’t let this put you off as it really isn’t necessary. I know Andy was very impressed with the attention to detail, but I think I could equally have watched on my own and still loved it. Set years after a nuclear disaster in a post-apocalyptic future (stay with me), Lucy, a vault dweller, heads to the surface to find her father who has been kidnapped. I appreciate I’m not really selling it here, but if you enjoyed Last of Us then you'll LOVE this.
*Amazon Prime*
The Gentlemen
This series is a spin-off of the 2019 film of the same name. The classic Guy Ritchie style, think gangsters, dukes and drugs, with Effy from Skins thrown in for good measure. My only bug bear is that whenever I see Theo James I can only remember one VERY specific scene from The Inbetweeners film involving a rolled up note and Jay’s bum.
*Netflix*
Fleishman is in Trouble
It wasn’t until a friend recommended this to me that I had considered watching this, I am absolutely someone who is influenced by the latest hype and trends, so the fact this series had gone under the radar meant this one passed me by. Based on the bestselling book of the same name, this series on the surface seems to be about a rich couple living in Manhattan. Toby Fleishman is recently divorced when his ex-wife drops their children off and doesn’t return for them. With Janice from Mean Girls narrating and Claire Danes, who completely steals the show, the acting in this is outstanding; what was amazing about this series was its ability to influence how you feel about certain characters each episode. A heartbreaking story, which highlights that you never really know what someone is going through.
*Disney Plus*
Documentaries
American Nightmare
When Netflix does a documentary well, it’s one of my favourite things to watch. This documentary is, quite literally, unbelievable. I will say nothing as it’s best to go in completely blind with this one, but a quick one liner to whet your appetite— when a woman is kidnapped in the middle of the night, do the police believe her boyfriend's unusual witness statement? I’ll say no more!
*Netflix*
Turning Point: the Bomb and the Cold War
I 100% selfishly suggested this to Andy to keep him entertained while I read. Instead I ended up completely engrossed in this fascinating historical documentary series, a sentence I never thought I’d write. Spanning from the Second World War until current events, this is a deep, DEEP dive into global politics and history, featuring some fantastic journalists, authors and politicians, this will have you questioning everything you think you know. With 10 episodes at over an hour each this is a bold recommendation, but trust me!
*Netflix*
Films
Bullet Train
Set entirely on a bullet train this follows a group of assassins all with a different objective. Sounds dire, but does star Robbie from Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. We bloody love an action comedy, and this was one of the best films we’ve seen in a while.
Barbie
How original of me to suggest this, but I wanted to include as the hype WAS real, and we both loved this film. So bloody funny, stand out moments were Ken learning about the patriarchy, and when he plays the guitar *at* Barbie, because we’ve all been there, am I right.
Books
Empire of Pain
Journalist, Patrick Radden Keefe, explores the Sackler family, a name you will probably recognise from the Opioid crisis, lifting the lid (always wanted to use that phrase) on the Pharmaceutical industry in the USA. While there is already so much media out there already, Patrick Radden Keefe approaches from a different angle, learning about the family themselves and how they became a dynasty. I don’t think a book has ever provoked such a visceral reaction from me, except maybe Marley and Me, I actually found this quite a hard read and it really took a toll on my emotions. Nevertheless, if you’re unsure about non-fiction (such a daunting genre) this is one you should try, readable and devastating in equal measures.
The Great Believers
This book– it’s hard to recommend because it will break your heart, but the fact that BookTok (I’m generalising) goes wild for A Little Life when this book exists almost irritates me. Actually based on true events, which probably influenced why I found this so sad, we follow a group of friends existing in the depths of the AIDS crisis in Chicago. Harrowing, confronting, yet so well written. By sheer coincidence I’m glad that I read this so soon after Empire of Pain because I had the background knowledge of the greed of the Pharmaceutical industry.
Close to Home
Again, another one that I don’t see much online which surprises me as this encompasses everything that Bookstagram loves in a book; winner of the Waterstones Irish Book of the Year (that in itself should have booksta hooked), this is a character focused novel about Sean who returns home after university to work in a nightclub. Struggling with his identity, this book is about class, addiction and redemption in the shadows of the troubles.
I hope you managed to find something amongst this post to watch or read. You may notice that I haven’t included music as I’m extremely out of the loop with the trends. On my Apple music you’ll mainly find Fall Out Boy, and Guns n’ Roses (my latest running pump up music). The juxtaposition of living my best angsty teen emo life whilst doing my Saturday morning 5k. Next newsletter, I’m hoping, will be lifestyle based, though so far my only notes include two recipes I’ve been cooking non stop and want to share. Best get brainstorming..
*Will be using this as my reminder to make a better note of recommendations for the next six months as I’m absolutely sure I’ve forgotten some good ones.*