Category: Podcast

Read, Watch and Listen – November

It is time again for me to recommend some entertainment to my blog readers.

Every month I suggest a good book, TV show or film and podcast. Here is my last post in case you missed it:

Read, Watch and Listen (October edition)

Let’s get on with it. Here are my up-to-date recommendations. I hope you find one intriguing enough to check out.

Read ‘The Comfort Book’ by Matt Haig

I may well have mentioned this before. It is a fabulous non-fiction book designed to soothe our mental health. Matt is an expert at examining positive thinking and the pitfalls of modern life and technology.

With short chapters, resonating quotes and funny lists, this book is interesting, easy to pick up and put down, and well worth reading.

Matt had a cloudy history of depression and uses this book to share his own feelings, discoveries and learning around the topic of mental health.

Watch – The Day Of The Jackal – Apple TV Plus

Eddie Redmayne is a very talented actor who I have always liked. So when I noticed that he was filming a TV show based on the sniper character from a 1973 popular film, I was excited to see what he did with that.

It is safe to say that he has pulled it off well alongside a brilliant actress who I first saw in Matilda: The Musical. Lashana Lynch plays Bianca, a detective who has taken on the case of finding out who the Jackal actually is.

Beautifully shot in locations around Europe, the Jackal has ‘Killing Eve’ feels and its cinematography is as wonderful as a stunning Bond movie.

This thrilling series is well-paced, cleverly written and expertly directed.

Listen to ‘Living A Nordic Life’ with Fiona McKinna

Being in love with Scandinavia and all things Nordic, I wanted to find a podcast that discusses life in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

I scrambled upon this wonderful podcast by an English woman who has lived for over a decade in scenic Norway. Her episodes cover things that affect us all, such as how to cope with winter.

Fiona puts a positive spin on the topics she covers and provides practical tips for coping with winter doldrums by finding ways to enjoy and anticipate it. I am now working my way through other episodes related to Nordic living and really enjoying this very calm, intriguing show.

And Finally…

Thank you for reading about my November suggestions. Hopefully you will have seen a book, TV show or podcast that takes your interest.

I have been a little more quiet on my blog recently due to a family health scare but will be back fully in action from now on. In January I work from home three days week and will dedicate regular time for blogging.

Read, Watch and Listen (October edition)

It is finally Autumn and rusty leaves are beginning to fall gently from the orange and yellow trees. This morning I realised that I forgot to produce a ‘Read, Watch and Listen’ post in September so perhaps I will do a double whammy in October.

This is the monthly article where I share something great that I am reading, a brilliant TV show or movie and a fascinating podcast.

Let’s not waste time and get straight into it. Let me know if you have found any of my suggestions relevant or interesting.

Read ‘Endgame’ by Omid Scobie

Now I may have mentioned being given this book by my Mum for Christmas but I kind of started it and left it for a while as work annoyingly took over my life.

Having restarted reading it recently, it is well worth sharing how relevant this book is. Covering the Covid period, end of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and tumultuous relationship between the Windsors and Sussexes, this book is interesting and insightful.

Omid used to be a royal reporter working from the palaces and touring with several of them. I was worried that he might be one-sided but, in fact, he is a combination of supportive and cutting. His book seems to look at controversial issues from both sides. He definitely doesn’t hold back any punches.

Watch ‘The Rings of Power’ on Amazon Prime

As the second series comes to an end, it is worth reflecting on this megalith of a TV programme which unpacks the early years of characters such as Gandalf and Galadriel.

In my opinion, when the first season came out the pace was weird and the story seemed clunky. As it reached the last few episodes, the writers seemed to get their stuff together and the narrative started to flow nicely.

The second series is far better. The writers’ room have drank some coffee and woken up to what we (the Tolkien lovers) want to see.

With Adar gathering Orcs and threatening the Eleven kingdom, Galadriel taking lots of risks and dwarf kings succumbing to the magic of one of the great rings, this season is spectacular and more rewarding for viewers.

With the growing threat of dark powers harnessed by Sauron and Gandalf wondering through the desert with two halflings, there is plenty going down.

I totally recommend giving The Rings Of Power a watch but you need to be invested as season one is harder to get your head around than the latest series, which is much much better.

Listen to ‘Scene Stealers’ Podcast

Recently I followed Tobias Turley after seeing him in Mamma Mia on the West End. I noticed he loved movies and was beginning a podcast with his TikTok mate Henry Calvert.

Stene Stealers Podcast

I thought it might be worth a listen because they both love film history and musical theatre. Each episode of Scene Stealers discusses movie, TV and theatre news. Last week they had interviews with the cast of the latest Marvel series, Agatha Again, for example.

Although it is in its early days, this podcast is blossoming and definitely one worth checking out. The two guys are humorous and knowledgeable, with great contacts in the business we call Show.

I suggest giving them a listen, especially if you like to know the latest entertainment news.

And Finally…

I really appreciate you reading about some of my latest TV, book and podcast recommendations. Perhaps you have a brilliant show that you would like to suggest in the comments.

Hopefully something on my list catches your attention and if not, then perhaps it would be worth looking at my previous lists:

Read, Watch and Listen (August)

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.

Read, Watch and Listen (August)

It is finally August and the Summer is in full swing, thunderstorms and all. That means it must be time for me to share something I am enjoying reading, watching and listening to.

If you missed my last instalment, check this out:

Read, Watch and Listen (July)

Now, find out more about my recommendations for August.

Read ‘Our Missing Hearts’ by Celeste Ng

This book has had me riveted since I began it last week. It is all about a family torn apart by a law to protect America from cultural influences.

A boy called Bird (otherwise known as Noah) lost his Mum after she was involved in a protest against PACT. This law outlawed Chinese influence in the USA (I am no expert on this but there does appear to have been a PACT movement in the 1990s).

Bird lives with his father in University accommodation as they were harassed in their old home when Mum’s association was revealed.

Subtle messages on scraps of paper led Bird to start trying to find out where his Mum had gone.

I have not finished the novel yet but it is another success for Celeste Ng. Her style is fairly unique as she flips from past to present tense with ease. She is a clever writer who explores prejudice with a carefully plotted story.

I totally recommend checking out this wonderful book.

Watch ‘Those About To Die’ on Amazon Prime

I noticed this series was trending at Number One on Amazon and I wasn’t certain if it would interest me. Then, finding out that Anthony Hopkins starred as a Roman Emperor, I decided to watch an episode. I instantly loved it.

I am still early on in watching this series but I really like its pace, mix of gruesome and funny, and the grandeur of Ancient Rome.

It explores the sport of racing chariots at a stadium not unlike the Colosseum. Betting is involved and treachery as well as political volatility.

It is too soon for me to review in detail but it certainly has started strong.

‘Miss Me’ on BBC Sounds

I have probably mentioned this podcast before as I love listening to Miquita Oliver and her best friend – Lily Allen.

This week, David Harbour filled in for his wife (Lily) and it was hilarious. It always is.

The Meaty Drop is a weekly episode where they discuss things going on in the world and then Listen B&tch is a weekly Q and A. This week the topic for the questions was Lily Allen herself. I laughed as I heard her hubby and best friend answering a range of questions about her.

This podcast covers everything from race, politics, the entertainment industry, social media… The list goes on.

I totally recommend checking out Miss Me which is also available around the world, not just in Britain.

And Finally…

Thank you for taking the time to read my recommendations for a book, TV show and podcast to get hooked on in August.

Have you listened Miss Me yet?