The Books I Read in the Second Half of 2021
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
The end of the year is the perfect time to sum up all the books I have read this year and share which ones have been my favourites with you! After reading so many books in 2020 that it was quite the mammoth read, I split this year into two. You can find all the books I read from January to June this year here, but this post includes all the books I read from July to December. There's a few less to get through in this second instalment; I have been far busier in the second half of this year - hence the lack of activity on my blog!
Clothes... and Other Things That Matter by Alexandra Shulman - 4 stars
A memoir by the ex-editor-in-chief of British Vogue, structured by different items of clothing - each chapter explores a different staple piece in her wardrobe, and zooms out to write about its relevance to a certain memory or event in her life. A very clever and unique concept written by a remarkable woman.
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo - 4 stars
This is one long paperback novel, centred around an American family with four grown up daughters trying to find their place in the world. Lots of family drama, with flashbacks that gave me This Is Us (if it was a novel) vibes. The flashbacks worked very well to explain why the daughters grew up to be the women they became, creating three-dimensional characters, but I enjoyed the parents' storyline the most.
Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane - 4.5 stars
My first read of Mhairi McFarlane's work, and a great first impression! Eve still hasn't moved on from Ed, who she fell in love with when she was eighteen and is now best friends with in her thirties, with him none the wiser. One night their lives change forever and a web of secrets unravels. The novel is packed full of plot twists, none of which I expected, and McFarlane did a great job of creating a very likeable protagonist and interesting supporting characters.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - 4.5 stars
Nora Seed finds herself in 'The Midnight Library', a place you arrive at close to death with an infinite number of possibilities to live out, where her life changes with each little decision altered. A very unique concept for a novel, albeit a little flawed if you think too much into it, but the short snappy chapters kept me reading and reading, and the novel's message about regretting what you didn't do, and simply living, is one to take forward.
Ma'am Darling by Craig Brown - 2.5 stars
99 glimpses into the life of Princess Margaret; a book which really excited me to read but unfortunately did not live up to my hopes. Structured in a confusing, non-chronological order made it difficult for me to navigate, and it was so long and gruelling to read that it made me unmotivated to read anything at all for a while.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - 4 stars
Evelyn Hugo, Hollywood movie icon turned ageing recluse, is ready to tell her story. But she will only be interviewed by one person, budding journalist Monique Grant. A scandalous novel, a staple of Jenkins Reid's writing style, but to allow her character to be less defined by her husbands, and more by her own stature as a movie icon, as I imagine is the aim, more focus should have been given to her career.
Put a Wet Paper Towel on it by Lee and Adam Parkinson - 3.5 stars
Insights into life working in a primary school by two teachers with a successful podcast about all things educational - I read this partly to trial out before buying it as a Christmas gift for my best friend (who is training to be a primary school teacher!) and partly because primary schools are inevitably full of hilarious anecdotes and this book is no exception.
Come Again by Robert Webb - 3.5 stars
Widowed Kate finds herself transported back to her eighteen year old self's life, on the day she met her husband to be. She knows how he dies, but if she can make him fall in love with her again, can she save him this time round? This novel is written in three parts; part two was my favourite, straight out of a rom-com and absolutely hilarious, but had a little bit of a disappointing and chaotic ending.
Don't You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane - 3.5 stars
Georgina has been rotating around different dead-end jobs for ten years, so when she's fired and catches her boyfriend cheating on her on the same night, she takes the next job offered - working in a pub run by her first love. The problem: he doesn't seem to remember her at all. I returned to Mhairi McFarlane for my final read of 2021, having enjoyed Last Night so much, but unfortunately these characters simply weren't as likeable and it took a while to get into!
My target for 2021 was 21 books, which I managed to hit, although my reading habits in the second half of the year were far more sporadic than the first half! Overall, my only 5 star read this year ended up being Rodham by Curtis Sittenfield; I discuss in my earlier post why this is seriously worth the read! However, The Midnight Library is definitely up there as one of my favourite reads this year too, as is Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club.
What is your favourite book that you have read this year?
EG x
McFly Young Dumb Thrills Tour - Manchester
Friday, October 01, 2021 Manchester Arena
McFly are back. Well, McFly were back two years ago, with the announcement of a tour and new music on the way. And then the tour was postponed. And again. And again. An album release and a Strictly announcement later, it felt like it would never come, but here we are - McFly have officially embarked on their first tour in five years. It's good to be back.
As usual, I went to their Manchester date, which followed several back to back nights across the country - from London to Newcastle. I've been to Manchester arena many times before, but had never had floor seats, so was excited by my seats being block C, row C. McFly's stage set-up is very unique, with a ramp around a standing section of the audience in the 'OMFG zone', and I was just outside of that, next to the ramp. An amazing view, especially of Tom, being on his side, whenever they would come down to the end of the ramp!
Despite it being the 'Young Dumb Thrills' tour, there were plenty of their greatest hits played, which I was very pleased about as a long-time fan. The set began with Star Girl and followed with One For The Radio, the perfect opener to get the crowd up and going.
Fans of the new album were not disappointed as there were plenty of new songs performed, from Happiness and Another Song About Love to one of my favourites on the album, Wild And Young - definitely a great Danny moment, as this was originally one of his solo songs which he performed on his own tour in 2019. He followed this by heading to the B Stage and performing Red, accompanied by plenty of red lights and a microphone hanging from the ceiling. Red was absolutely electric live, just as it was on the Keep Calm and Play Louder tour nine years ago! I only wish they could have played more of the Lost Songs at this tour, as I suspect they would have done if the tour had been able to take place on its original date, before Young Dumb Thrills was recorded. Touch The Rain is one of my all-time favourite McFly songs, and I wish there had been space for it on the setlist!
Nonetheless, the setlist was spectacular - highlights for me were Lies, especially with Tom and Danny's guitar riff at the end of the song, along with Love Is Easy, a joy to hear live for the first time - I'm glad Tom's pink ukulele got a chance to shine.
Manchester was also treated to a special 'Strictly' moment, as of course Tom is competing in this years' series! His dance partner Amy took to the stage to show off what he had learnt prior to Saturday's show, and because the BBC was filming it, it was so exciting when the clip of the show was played in Tom's VT before his performance! I have no doubt that everyone in the arena that night, along with all the other shows of the tour, will be rooting for him to win!
As usual, McFly's banter was on top form, with Dougie joking about the arena's new name. Last time they performed there, back in 2015, it was called 'Phones4U arena', and he found its new sponsor, AO, much more fun to shout out to the crowd! And, of course, plenty of teasing Danny for being from Bolton, as is always the case at his home show!
The concert seemed to go ridiculously quick, and suddenly the encore came around. The Heart Never Lies was a great choice - there's no better feeling than when Toms sings 'McFly's here forever!'. Five Colours in Her Hair and All About You were the last two songs played, a classic way to end their first tour in five years.
Despite having not toured for such a significant amount of time, McFly have certainly retained the live magic their tours always have and I have no doubt that they were back for good this time; how could they not be, having received such an amazing reception on tour?! My first concert in over eighteen months, it was brilliant to see the arena back up and running again too.
EG x
Read my review of the Young Dumb Thrills album here
On-The-Glow Blush by Pixi | Review *
Saturday, September 04, 2021
We're finally venturing into the world again! You know what, I've learnt my lesson over the past year of lockdown and whatnot - I no longer want to take a makeup bag full to the brim whenever I'm going anywhere. Instead, I am opting for makeup that is simple and easy to use - something reliable amongst the chaos. One swipe and you're done. Yes please.
Lucky for me, Pixi seem to be on my wavelength with their latest makeup release - a tinted moisture stick, suitable for both cheeks and lips. The ultimate space saver, if you ask me, is a 2 in 1 product!
At first glance, I wasn't sure if Pixi were going to be ticking the box of easy to apply, but boy did they prove me wrong! Simply pull off the lid and give the product a couple of twists to reveal a balm which is offered in three gorgeous shades. It's a very innovative product which I've never seen in any other makeup brand, which really excites me - I love seeing a makeup brand make a product that stands out from the crowd, especially these days when there is such an abundance of choice.
Let's properly delve into the shades; I love that the three of them are completely different to one another, and how their packaging, matching the shade, distinguishes them. 'Juicy' is a fun and bright orange tone, 'Fleur' is a rosy pale pink and 'Ruby' is a deeper, bolder pink. I may have liked to see one with a peachier or browner undertone, but the shades they have chosen are so pretty that I can't complain too much.
Swatches of the shades: Juicy, Fleur, Ruby.
Combining ingredients such as ginseng to revitalise the skin and aloe vera to soothe, I love that Pixi adopt a skin conscious approach to makeup, being a skincare brand first. The formula is dewy and balmy, giving a lovely subtle wash of colour to the cheeks once blended in. They are very easy to blend out and despite being a balm, not sticky at all which is a big plus point. Despite my eagerness to save space in my makeup bag, I've always been a little dubious of products that are targeted to both cheeks and lips because think about it, they are very different complexions! Yet Pixi manage to combine the needs of both into one product very well, it doesn't feel too drying on the lips or too sticky on the cheeks. In fact, using the same shade on both the cheeks and lips makes a cohesive makeup look.
I have been surprised that my favourite shade of the trio is 'Juicy', the orange tone. I think this is because I don't really own anything like it in colour, and while it has been a very fun choice for the summer months, the orange tones will be a sure hit for autumn too.
My favourite use of this product is definitely as a lip balm as I am not the biggest blush fan, but since it is so easy to blend in I have been giving it a good go! Depending on your preference, you can either apply it straight from the stick to your skin or use your fingers to dab it on, creating a more buildable finish.
You can grab Pixi's On-The-Glow blushes at their own store, and they are also stocked in Boots. What is your go-to blush?
EG x
Gifted items were featured in this post, courtesy of Pixi Beauty
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster Live | Southbank Centre
Saturday, August 07, 2021 Southbank Centre, London
"This is what happens when people have been starved of live entertainment for a year and a half. They'll lap anything up"
Once upon a time, I had never been a podcast person. I couldn't get into one, it felt weird listening to someone talk for an hour without seeing them. But then, after being blown away by James Acaster's Netflix specials Repertoire, I gave his podcast with fellow comedian Ed Gamble a go, and didn't look back.
The format of Off Menu is (fairly) simple; each week a guest is invited on, from comedic friends including Aisling Bea or Tom Allen to singers like Anne-Marie and actors like Martin Freeman. They are asked in turn whether they would prefer still or sparkling water, poppadoms or bread (iconically shouted by James when the guest least expects it), and their ideal starter, main course, side dish, drink and dessert, to form their dream menu. This sounds like a simple concept but it is brought to life by brilliant comedy and the fact that anything is possible - guests are allowed to choose any food from any place in the world and any time in history, making for some wacky and wonderful suggestions.
It feels surprising that although the podcast has been going since 2018 and recently begun its sixth series, their shows at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on 30th July and 1st August 2021 are the first ever live episodes - perhaps COVID got in the way. But fans lapped up the opportunity to get a chance to see it live; it was an absolute nightmare trying to get tickets, especially as the first time round it was sold as socially distant. As restrictions eased, the Southbank Centre sold a second round of tickets, and the hall was packed to the brim, a symbol of the podcast's huge popularity (it often makes number 1 on the podcast charts each week). My seat was row B of the balcony at the side, I managed to get it in the first round of tickets when they went incredibly fast, so even though I did feel fairly far away from the stage, I was glad to be there at all!
Like the traditional podcast episodes, the live shows on the Friday and the Sunday each had a different guest to share their dream meal - my show featured the comedian and writer Isy Suttie, who although I wasn't too familiar with previously (other than her being on James' episode of Pointless), I really warmed to. Side note: she recently published her first novel which I was almost tempted by before going to the show as it sounded so up my street, and liked her so much I have now gone and bought it.
However, before introducing the guest of the night, Ed and James took to the stage and treated the audience to two little performances linked to moments of the podcast - Ed first as 'Edwin Coffee', the persona of a comedian from New York whose entire routine is about coffee, a callback to the intro and outro of the Josh Groban episode, and then James came on to sing some songs featured on the podcast, including his iconic Cawston Press song. Both were absolutely hilarious and got the audience ready. Then, the audience got the chance to choose the secret ingredient for Isy - if she chooses that ingredient, she'll be kicked out of the dream restaurant! Although how we would choose it wasn't really thought through, with members of the audience incomprehensibly shouting out a range of foods, it was decided to be tinned fruit, or 'tanned frut', as the Scottish member of the audience's suggestion sounded.
Once Isy was welcomed to the stage, there was so much chat and brilliant food-based anecdotes shared between them that we had gotten to half way through the allotted time of the show before they even asked if she would like still or sparkling water. I imagine there are lots of guests like this, and therefore what was really fun about the live podcast concept was getting an unfiltered, unedited version of the show. Each course was introduced by Isy as how many colours made it up - two for the starter, six for the main and whether there was 'something that was once alive' in it or not. We spent far longer than you'd expect guessing what type of pea was part of her main course; all hilarious snippets that make you realise how much must get cut when putting the episodes together. I won't spoil her choices as I'm pretty sure from the sounds of things it will be eventually uploaded as an episode, but I was very, very happy with her dessert choice as it was almost exactly what I would choose too!
Something worth mentioning as I round off is that the show was live captioned on a screen behind them which I thought was a really wonderful idea, making the show more accessible and generally easier to follow - often with a huge audience laughing and making plenty of noise throughout the show, you miss little words here and there so it was a great touch.
Going to see Off Menu live was a brilliant opportunity to almost have a behind the scenes look at the podcast recording and the atmosphere with over two-thousand other fans of the show laughing away was really sensational. You can listen to the podcast on every streaming platform and head to their website here to see all of the episodes, a run-down of every restaurant ever mentioned on the show, and updates of future live shows. Have you seen a live podcast before?
EG x
Image source: Off Menu twitter, except the last photo, which is my own (from my view up in the balcony, seat B44!)
Glossier Haul & First Impressions, Volume 3
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Pink Glossier pouches, how I have missed you! Needing to stock up on a skincare must-have, I made a Glossier order during their exciting 'friendsofglossier' sale, giving us all twenty percent off. Because I haven't posted a Glossier haul since their London store was open pre-pandemic, I decided to go all out and get a few of their best-selling makeup products to try.
The first item of my order was a repurchase of their 'milky oil' waterproof makeup remover. I shared my first impressions of this in my haul last year, but the fact I had to get a second bottle is enough proof that this is a great product. I use this on a daily basis to remove eye makeup and brow product - a little goes a long way, and I'd estimate that pandemic aside, a bottle probably lasts about a year which I think is great value for money. As someone with combination skin, the area around my eyebrows tends to get pretty dry which a lot of other makeup removers tend to agitate, whereas milky oil is so gentle that I have had no problem with it whatsoever, which is why I'm such a fan.
Time for the first impressions! Cloud Paint, Glossier's cream blush, is one of their most iconic products, with paint tube style packaging that is just the cutest. Despite not being a big blush person at all, I had been dying to try it because of its cult status, so compromised and went for the shade Dusk, which is described as a 'brownish nude' - not too pink for my already pink cheeks! I love how easy this is to apply; although I'd say it's more of a liquid, rather than cream formula. It's sheer and buildable which I really like as applying blush can be quite overwhelming if it's very pigmented! If you're a big blush fan, you have to try this, there's a multitude of shades that all look really pretty.
After an initial panic as I couldn't work out how to twist the product up and worried all I would have is a tiny amount of product, I was really excited to try the haloscope highlighter. I'm very sad Glossier discontinued their other highlighter, the NiteShine liquid highlight, as that remains my favourite Glossier product ever, but I can understand why it is Haloscope that is considered an iconic Glossier product. It's sleek packaging makes it super easy to use; just swipe on and blend in with a finger and you're away! I went for the lightest of the three, Moonstone, an 'opalescent glaze', and I love that it is very natural.
Can you believe, as a huge lipstick fan, that I had never tried a Glossier lipstick?! I had to rectify this immediately, purchasing not one but both of their different formulas. Firstly, the original Generation G - a sheer matte formula. I am totally obsessed with the formula, it glides on, is buildable, doesn't feel like you have any product on and is very mask friendly - an important factor right now! I would describe the shade Leo as 'your lips but slightly browner' - I did expect it to be a bit darker, but am not disappointed at all as I know this is a shade I will get a ton of wear out of.
The newest addition to the Glossier makeup family - Ultralip. A balm, gloss, lipstick hybrid - certainly an intriguing concept! The formula is the exact opposite to Generation G - in a good way, Glossier have really covered all bases with their lip collection! It's nourishing, very comfortable to wear - but would probably rub off onto your mask in mere minutes, so maybe save it for outdoor activities for now! The shade Trench is absolutely stunning, a 'toffee brown', very similar in tone to Leo - I was impressed with how much pigment it has, arguably more than the Gen Gs, as I never expected a balmy formula to have that much colour.
What are your favourite makeup products from Glossier? If you haven't tried any before and fancy some of the products I have just shared (I recommend Milky Oil and Ultralip overall!), head here to get 10% off your first order. I've heard they are going to be releasing a very long-awaited bronzer this week, which I cannot wait to see!
EG x
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The Books I Read in the First Half of 2021
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Welcome to a round-up of all the books I read in the first half of 2021! After a monster of a post rounding up all the books I read in 2020 last December, this year I have decided to split it into two more manageable chunks, with the first half published now in June, and the second half at the end of the year. I’ll be giving mini reviews of all the books I have read thus far this year, which are almost a fifty-fifty split of fiction and non-fiction; this year I have been trying to alternate between the two to keep myself interested and ensure I am reading a variety of different books. I have also been documenting all my reads on my Instagram stories this year, so head to the ‘2021 books’ highlight reel @everythingxerin to see what I thought of them in an even shorter format!
Ghosts by Dolly Alderton - 4.5 stars
I started off the year with Dolly Alderton’s debut novel. Because I didn’t love her memoir, I was pleasantly surprised to absolutely love this. Set around many different interpretations of ‘ghosts’, from the modern-day internet term of ghosting, to feeling like you are losing friends as they move on with their lives, or close relatives to illness, Dolly created a very intriguing novel with a likeable protagonist. Read my full review here.
Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham - 4 stars
Taking us from the original Gilmore Girls series to the ‘A Year In The Life’ revival and everything in between, Lauren Graham’s memoir was everything as chatty and witty as you would expect from the fast-talking protagonist of my favourite ever TV series. I especially loved her diary on the set of the revival, although I would have enjoyed more insights into the original series.
Practically Perfect: Life Lessons from Mary Poppins by Katy Brand - 3.5 stars
As a huge fan of Mary Poppins this book certainly intrigued me, as a bunch of lessons that we can learn from everyone’s favourite nanny. I felt some of the lessons were a bit too personal to the author to be relatable, and would have appreciated a nod to the stage musical adaptation, but all in all it is a fun read for any Poppins fan.
Ordinary People by Diana Evans - 3.5 stars
Ordinary People explores the lives of two couples living in London at a crucial point in their lives. While it was well-written, this one didn’t stand out to me; although the characters were very three-dimensional and flawed to make the novel realistic, they were simply too dislikeable to root for.
On The Frontline with the Women who Fight Back by Stacey Dooley - 4.5 stars
After going to her talk at the Barbican last year, I bought Stacey Dooley’s book exploring how she got into investigative journalism, and the harrowing stories of different women along the way. Stacey recalls being in a war zone and meeting women whose lives are a constant battle for survival in the most dangerous countries in the world, but despite the difficult subject matter, her original and relatable voice shines through on the page; the key to her documentary success.
Us Three by Ruth Jones - 4.5 stars
For Ruth Jones’ second novel, she returned to her Welsh roots and told the story of three wonderful female protagonists: Lana, Judith and Catrin. The three best friends made a pact as children to be friends forever, but following an exciting pre-uni holiday, revelations shake the core of this promise. I absolutely loved Us Three, I was captivated by the storyline and both the three girls and their close families were all very likeable. As this novel has been recently released on paperback, I recommend you all pick up a copy; it’s the sort of book which feels like a warm hug, and I don’t think you can ever get enough of those!
You’re The One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher - 3 stars
I read Giovanna Fletcher’s first novel Billy & Me towards the end of 2020, so had to follow it up with her next one, You’re The One That I Want, centered around Maddy and two best friends who both love her, Robert and Ben. Taking us through their lives as children, at high school, at university and finally as adults, this one was unfortunately quite underwhelming! The main character Maddy moans through all the chapters from her perspective about the woes of two brilliant men loving her… if she’d have opened her eyes to how lucky she was, it might have been more enjoyable!
Classic Scrapes by James Acaster - 4.5 stars
A book by my favourite comedian compiling the most outlandish stories from throughout his life, from trying something new every day for a week and the unexpected consequences of it to writing off a car on three different occasions. James Acaster’s wit transfers with ease from stage and screen to paper, making me laugh-out-loud many times during a point of lockdown when I really needed it.
Rodham by Curtis Sittenfield - 5 stars
The headline: this is the best book I have read so far this year! An incredible novel posing the question: what if Hillary didn’t marry Bill Clinton? Once the romantic, younger section of the story was out of the way, the career-heavy second half really blew me away. Sittenfield’s writing feels so real that I constantly had to put the book down and remind myself that it is only a novel, that these are characters who are only based on real people!
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - 4.5 stars
As I was reading this, I thought about how much I was enjoying it despite it not being my usual kind of read… but is a bunch of octogenarians solving a murder that took place in their retirement village really anyone’s usual kind of read?! Richard Osman’s debut novel obviously became a quick bestseller because we all know him off Pointless, but it stayed up there because of its witty British humour and incredibly loveable main characters. I’ve grown quite fond of a quirky murder mystery; this novel really has you suspecting everyone!
The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris - 3.5 stars
A political memoir by the current Vice President of the United States, each chapter focusing on a different socio-political issue that she tackled during her illustrious career ranging from District Attorney of San Francisco to State Senator of California. Some of the chapters required a little background knowledge, leaving me a little out of my depth but I can’t wait to watch her future work in action.
The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary - 4 stars
Five people with a whole lot of history find themselves stuck in the same car for an eight hour road trip from the south of England to the depths of Scotland - what could possibly go wrong? Having loved Beth O’Leary’s first two novels and very excited by the concept of her new novel, I could not wait to read The Road Trip straight away. The book alternates between two protagonists, as her previous two did, but also flips between the past and the present to slowly reveal what happened between them over the course of the book. I preferred the sections set in the ‘now’, on the road trip where the antics were absolutely hilarious! It lacked some of the warmth of her previous two novels, but was nonetheless a great read.
Lady in Waiting by Anne Glenconner - 4.5 stars
What an extraordinary life Anne Glenconner has led! From being a Maid of Honour at the Queen’s Coronation to a Lady In Waiting for Princess Margaret for almost thirty years, to having a tumultuous marriage and tragically losing her two adult sons, this memoir is both glamorous and heartbreaking. There are moments that will shock, make you laugh and even cry; a whole range of emotions in this one!
How Do We Know If We’re Doing It Right? by Pandora Sykes - 4 stars
My final read of this blog post is a collection of essays by Pandora Sykes, exploring different aspects of modern life, from wellness to binge-watching and everything in between, wondering if there is any right way to approach them. This book is very well-researched, quoting a very wide range of sources and raises some very thought-provoking points.
There you have it - the first fourteen books I have read during 2021! There have been barely any reads so far that I haven’t enjoyed that much, so I would recommend most of them, but thinking about the ones that stood out to me… if you’re after a novel like no other, I really recommend Rodham, especially as it has just come out on paperback, or if you’d prefer a captivating real life story, I still can’t get over the glamorously tragic tale of Anne Glenconner, another incredible read.
What have been your favourite reads in the first half of this year? I would love some recommendations to keep me going through the second half!
EG x
Everything I Read, Watched and Listened to in June
Sunday, July 11, 2021
How are we half way through the year now?! Going through this pandemic has truly made time a confusing concept. Anyway, today I am here with a little (or maybe bigger than I expected) round-up of all the things I have been reading, watching and listening to over the past month. Expect a selection of great series to get stuck into, intriguing podcasts to fill your walks and commutes with, and a brilliant album that I can't get enough of.
Read:
I have read less than usual this month, or at least have been a lot slower reading the books than usual; I wasn't sure why until I was making a list of everything I have watched this month, and realised that the balance has skewed far more that way! So although I don't have a lot of books to tell you about, I have really enjoyed what I have read and can't wait to share them with you.
How Do We Know If We're Doing This Right? by Pandora Sykes
My latest non-fiction read is a selection of essays by journalist and podcaster Pandora Sykes, exploring different aspects of modern life, from wellness to binge-watching to careers, posing the question of: is there a way of doing this right? The short answer: probably not, as everyone is different, but I particularly enjoyed the 'Get The Look' chapter about modern fashion consumption. It is a very well-researched and well-written book and worth getting your hands on a copy, as it has recently been released on paperback.
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
I'm currently half way through my current read, a novel about an American family, flashing back to moments of their lives to explore why the four daughters have all ended up in very different situations to each other. I have started to really get into this one and the characters are becoming very interesting, so I will keep you updated!
Watched:
As mentioned above, I have a lot to tell you about what I have watched this month. I'm splitting it into three little sections; the shows I have watched at the theatre, tv series and finally my favourite film of the month.
The Show Must Go On! At the Palace Theatre
At the beginning of the month I went to a wonderful show to celebrate theatres finally being able to reopen. The Show Must Go On! took place over five days as a concert in support of the theatre industry with performances from sixteen different musicals, from my favourites Les Mis and Mary Poppins to shows that haven't even had their first West End performance yet, like Back to the Future! It was amazing to get a taster of everything the West End has to offer and a recording of it will soon be broadcast on Sky Arts, so stay tuned for that! Read my full review of the show here.
Les Miserables: The Staged Concert at the Sondheim Theatre
As I just mentioned, Les Miserables is my favourite musical ever, so I couldn't resist going along to the current socially-distanced concert run when I spotted a cheap seat online. The staged concert edition of the musical was devised in 2019 with an all-star cast as it temporarily relocated to the smaller theatre next door, but has been revived over the summer as it is possible to open as a distanced show. As always, I was blown away and cried through the encore!
I've watched quite a few TV series this month, as a couple of my favourite series have been back and given me a new episode each week - it's so exciting to have that to look forward to!
Firefly Lane | Netflix
The best drama series I watched this month (and for quite some time, to be honest) was the Netflix original Firefly Lane starring Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke as two best friends who are inseparable despite their different paths of life. I was hooked on this series from beginning to end as each episode ends with a dramatic cliffhanger. It flips between three pivotal times in the characters Kate and Tully's lives; as teenagers in the 1970s, starting their careers in the 80s and the 'present' in their forties in 2003. The show captures the time periods so well using incredible fashion and music choices to make the show come to life.
Glow Up, Season 3 | BBC iPlayer
A break from drama series, I have recently loved watching the latest series of my favourite reality show, Glow Up. A competition to find the best makeup artist, the MUAs tackle challenges on the set of shows such as The Crown and Peaky Blinders to creating social media content and looks found in the windows of high street stores. You will be blown away by some of the talent of these makeup artists, the unique and original ideas are really awe-inspiring!
Trying, Season 2 | Apple TV
Apple TV's sitcom Trying, about a couple living in London who are trying to adopt a child after being unable to have one of their own, has come back for a second season this month and it has to be my favourite show that I am currently watching. I thought the first season was good, but it has seriously got even better - each episode that comes out on a Friday is potentially the highlight of my week! The main two protagonists, Nikki and Jason, portrayed by Esther Smith and Rafe Spall, are loveable and hilarious while this season has also delved further into the lives of their close friends and parents.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series - Season 2 | Disney+
I had my reservations about the very long-winded titled High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+ - how could it be as good as the original film series? But I was won over when I finally watched the first season a couple of months ago, just in time for its second series with episodes uploaded each Friday. There's drama, suspense, romance, friendship and most importantly, the most amazing performances. They have managed to capture the same feel-good spirit that exists in the original trilogy and I love the mix of original songs and new music throughout.
I also finished watching Back, a sitcom on All4 starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb which was wacky and brilliant with laugh-out-loud moments in every episode, and started watching the Netflix sitcom After Life, which took a bit of getting into but does become very witty and profound.
In The Heights
My favourite film this month has to be In The Heights; this will come as no surprise to anyone who knows how much I love a good musical though! Created by Lin Manuel Miranda who is of course also the brain behind Hamilton, it is the perfect summer feel-good that you definitely need to go and see - although be warned that the songs will be in your head for days!
Listened To:
Album | Olivia Rodrigo: Sour
After watching the first series of HSM: The Musical: The Series, I was absolutely blown away by Olivia Rodrigo's talent (as she portrays the main character, Nini), so when I realised the hit song Drivers' Licence was by her I became obsessed with her music. Her debut album Sour was released in late May and it is a must-listen. I particularly love the opening track Brutal, an ode to my teenage self, Good 4 u, so powerful and uplifting and Deja Vu which has a brilliant chill sound.
Podcast | Katherine Ryan's Telling Everybody Everything
My favourite podcast this month is by comedian Katherine Ryan, where she tells everybody everything about the latest stories in popular culture, or occasionally in her own life, before sharing some insights sent in by her listeners. I love this podcast because it is both informative and hilarious, but especially because of her very unbiased and balanced way of telling news-stories; Katherine has a great knack of telling them and being both witty and non-judgemental, making it really interesting to listen to.
Podcast | In Writing with Hattie Crisell
This month a friend recommended to me the podcast In Writing, where host Hattie Crisell interviews writers about their careers and writing processes. I tend to gravitate towards comedy podcasts so this was a different choice for me but a great one. She speaks to writers of all kinds, from editors like Alexandra Schulman, novelists including Anna Hope and Kiley Reid and even discusses writing stand-up with my favourite comedian, James Acaster; there really is an episode for everyone in this podcast. I've only listened to a couple of episodes so far but can't wait to listen to more over the upcoming months because the format is really interesting, so I would recommend it to any budding writer.
That's everything that I have been reading, watching and listening to in June! Let me know what you have enjoyed this month in the comments, I'd love some recommendations for July!
EG x
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