Some things I've loved reading, watching and listening to recently

I love the beginning of any new year because life tends to slow down a little bit. Weekends become quieter, social plans are less frequent and I have a whole lot more free time on my hands. And I’ve been using a lot of that free time to read, watch and listen to some awesome stuff - bliss. So today I thought I’d do a little round up of some of my faves, in case you’re on the lookout for something new to get your teeth stuck into this weekend. I hope you find something you enjoy, and I’d love to hear about what you’ve been loving recently!

Reading

Hold Back The Stars - Katie Khan

I read this book at the start of the year and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a novel with everything I look for - likeable characters, a good chunk of romance, a well plotted story, and a thought provoking political backdrop.

Jog On: How Running Saved My Life - Bella Mackie

I wholeheartedly credit this book with helping me to lace my trainers back up and start falling in love with running again. This is a memoir with a difference, covering everything from divorce to anxiety - if you’ve wondered if running could be for you, I’d recommend picking it up.

On The Come Up - Angie Thomas

This is the second novel from Angie Thomas, and it’s just as brilliant as her first, The Hate U Give. I raced through this and thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in Bri’s world. Thomas writes fiction in a way that is so clever, relatable and heartwarming, and I’m already dying to read more from her.

On Living - Kerry Egan

This was such a moving, poignant and uplifting read, and I’ve been thinking about it a lot since I read it last month. Egan is a chaplain who works with people and their families as they approach the end of their life, and in this book she shares all of the wisdom she has gathered from them over the years.

In The Moment magazine

If you’re looking for a magazine that doesn’t make you feel crap while you’re reading it, this one’s for you! It’s filled with beautifully written and thought provoking articles, and I always come away feeling upbeat and inspired.

The Simple Things magazine

If you’re interested in slower living, I would thoroughly recommend this beautiful magazine. Think lazy weekend recipes, gardening tips, crafting ideas and lots of prompts to remind you to live life a little more mindfully.

Watching

Dirty John

I watched this whole series with mouth aghast, struggling to believe it was a true story! The dramatisation was a bit OTT at times, but I still really enjoyed it. You can find it over on Netflix if you’re looking for something to watch this weekend.

This Is Us

I can’t remember the last time I loved a TV show as much as I love This Is Us - it’s life affirming, heart warming and at times, pretty damn emotional, and I am obsessed. We watched it over on Amazon Prime and I recommend you do the same thing ASAP!

Fleabag

I was late to the party with Fleabag and only watched the first series when my friend encouraged me to earlier this year, but I really enjoyed it. Season 2 just started this week and the first episode was a smash, so now would be a good time to check it out if you haven’t already.

On The Basis Of Sex

We went to the cinema to see the Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic last weekend and I really enjoyed it. It was a frustrating watch at times, but I think that just made it all the more powerful, and Felicity Jones was great in it.

Listening

Since Sliced Bread

If you’re tired of diet bullshit, this podcast is for you. Each week Cait and Alice bust diet myths, discuss their own struggles with disordered eating, and share brilliant advice and wisdom.

Real Talk Radio with Nicole Antoinette

I’m fast becoming a Nicole Antoinette fangirl, and I’m not ashamed to admit it! I love her podcast series, Real Talk Radio, because she has beautiful, deep, long form conversations with her guests, something that is so often missing from our fast paced content culture.

The Little Chapters

The Little Chapters podcast has been one of my absolute faves this year. In each episode the hosts, Kayte and Jess, have frank and honest conversations about what living life a little differently means to each of them, and I always come away feeling inspired.

Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves

I’m so late to the Kacey Musgraves party, but that hasn’t stopped me from becoming obsessed with her latest album, Golden Hour. I’ve got a feeling that this is gonna be the soundtrack to plenty of road trips this summer.