Read, Watch, Listen – March

It has been a while since I did one of my monthly roundups of entertainment suggestions. This feature samples a book, a TV show and a podcast that I am currently enjoying.

Check out my reviews and see whether any take your fancy. This month I mention a drama set in Asia, a fanciful story about The Queen and a really funny podcast about death.

Read – The Uncommon Reader – By Alan Bennett

Thinking about the Queen in her prime, this story imagines her becoming a bookworm.

If the monarch started neglecting her duties due to a bookish obsession what might happen?

Alan Bennett explores this subject cleverly with gentle narrative and witty skill. It is a rather short book but nonetheless satisfying. With a book stuffed behind the seat of her state event carriage and a constant desire to quiz guests about their reading, it makes for an entertaining read.

Watch – Expats – on Amazon Prime Video

Nicole Kidman plays Margaret, an American lady who came over to Hong Kong with her husband and ended up staying longer than expected.

The reason for this was tragic. Their youngest son went missing during a visit to the well known Hong Kong night market. The six episodes follow various characters, including the young nanny, the housekeeper and various wealthy Expat friends.

Listen to – Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake

Kathy Burke hosts this hilarious podcast which interviews stars about their ideal deaths, funerals and wakes.

Kathy is well known for her funny roles in ‘Kevin and Perry,’ ‘Gimme, Gimme, Gimme’ and ‘Absolutely Fabulous.’ I have even seen her direct an Oscar Wilde theatre play.

She is clever and scathing, known for her no-nonsense honesty and potty mouth.

The first interview she did involved Jennifer Saunders and she had me laughing my head off.

And Finally

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my recommendations. Hopefully something grabbed your interest.

Feel free to share your thoughts on one of these in the comments.

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Truly, Madly, Guilty – Book Review

As an avid reader, I love to be told interesting stories set in different locations. Liane Moriarty is an Australian author who has never let me down and always knows how to stir up a good amount of intrigue. Recently I finished another of her Australia based novels – Truly Madly Guilty.

Going to a barbecue never got more awkward than this.

My Review

Liane has a way of writing in the close third person that draws the reader in very close to each character and shows them a story from different angles.

Her relatively short chapters lead you through a variety of situations that build to form a complex and fascinating drama.

When Clementine gives up a few hours of cello practise to attend a barbecue at her old friend’s neighbour’s house, she isn’t ready for an air ambulance. Before she walks round to that dreaded back yard, her friend corners her with a request that makes her squirm.

The story jumps around before, during and after the barbecue and takes in events that challenge, excite and destabilise the three couples who drive this narrative forward.

Characters include a hoarding mother, a couple desperate for a baby and a wife who met her husband in a strip club.

The writing is delicious. Every sentence means something and helps you to absorb the feelings and background that fill this context.

And Finally…

I loved this book a lot. Its clever way of giving just the right nuggets of information at the right time is very entertaining. I was satisfied by the pace and fascinated by the characters and their dilemmas.

I totally recommend trying this book if you enjoy contemporary dramas. Also try another of Liane Moriarty’s masterpieces, such as ‘Big Little Lies’ or ‘Apples Never Fall.’

For another of my book reviews, check out:

Reading , I Missed You!

Having slowed down with my reading during the Autumn, I have got back into my rhythm again. Any fellow bookworms will know that sometimes work (and life in general) gets in the way of reading but it is really annoying when it does.

Even a bookworm has moments of distraction. But the hunger soon sets in.

Over Christmas I eased my way back in by reading a short Christmas story. Now I am in full swing, soaking up a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts on a daily basis.

What puts you in a reading mood?

For me, a cold weather spell gets me in the mood to sit on the sofa, with a throw over my legs, flicking through a good contemporary drama.

Being inside, cuddled up with a book, whilst outside is frosty and white, is a great way to take in a story.

On the other hand, reading is also a pastime I enjoy when I am waiting for a meeting or appointment.

If sat in a dentist’s waiting room I will open up my Kindle app on my phone and dip into a current ebook.

Similarly, when on my lunch break at work I love nothing more than to take the chance to read a chapter from one of my kindle books.

What gets you in the mood to open a book?

Do you prefer a paperback or ebook on a cosy evening in winter?

Thank you for taking the time to read my bookish post. Check out my Reading right now article for some book recommendations. Please consider following my blog for future similar content.