Often when I ask students about the meaning of Easter, they get sidetracked with the commercial bits. Instead of Jesus and resurrection, they enthuse about chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and Easter bunnies.
Thank you for taking the time to read my silly Easter poem. Please consider checking out another recent poem about Friday.
PS – And yes I used the same rhyme twice, for effect.
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.
If you like my articles, perhaps also consider following my little blog for future similar content. I write reviews of books, movies and TV shows as well as discussing environmental problems and sharing life hacks.
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.’
