What a grey miserable week we’re having. After a busy start to the month, this week has been rather slow in comparison. I turned 21 earlier on in the month, celebrating the only way I know how; eating my way through the week. This included me and my mum going to Lucha Libre, a delicious Mexican restaurant near Bold Street in Liverpool; tacos, enchiladas and the highlight, loaded sweet potato fries.
A few days later, we took a trip to London, eating our way around the capital, exploring alternate places we hadn’t yet visited. I shared how we spent our busy 48 hours in London here.
Celebrations aside, I’m now relishing the last of the free time before the first semester of University starts. Aside from getting ahead with some uni and dissertation work, I’ve spent my week wrapped up in my dressing gown, drinking copious amounts of tea and discovering lots of new shows, books and music to gush about. That being said, here’s everything I’ve been reading, watching and listening to lately.
Reading
This month I’m continuing my streak of reading longer books, having read three at 600+ pages each: ‘MaddAddam’ by Margaret Atwood, ‘Flight Behaviour’ by Barbara Kingsolver and a new-found favourite, ‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt. The latter is the most beautifully written book I have ever read. I also flew through ‘Reasons to Stay Alive‘ by Matt Haig which has now claimed a space well within reach on my bedside table. What a powerful book.
In terms of audiobooks, I finished ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and Elisabeth Moss’ eerie narration was perfection. I hadn’t realised just how much the TV series had added on beyond the book’s original ending point. I have pre-ordered Atwood’s ‘The Testaments’, a sequel set 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, so I’m intrigued to see where Atwood goes with it.
Lastly, I’m doing it. I’m finally reading the Harry Potter books. Is it bad that I’m also yet to watch the films? I’m a shameful 20 years or so late, but my hold on the first Harry Potter book finally became available from my library and Stephen Fry’s narration of ‘The Philosopher’s Stone’ is already making me question why it has taken me so long.
What I’m Watching
Film
On the day of its release, I went to see ‘Once Upon a Time In…Hollywood’ and I can confirm it is a masterpiece. Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as TV star Rick Dalton and Brad Pitt as his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth. It is an engrossing, kaleidoscopic splatter collage of a film, featuring multiple storylines in tribute to Hollywood’s 1969 golden-age. At nearly 3 hours, some may find it slow, yet I wanted it to go on longer. Is it too soon to watch it again?
Since then, I’ve been on a bit of a movie binge and I’m ashamed to admit that I have only just watched the sensation that is ‘Snatch’. Pitt playing an incomprehensible Irish gypsy is everything I never knew I needed – hilarious even if I couldn’t decipher a word he said. The film overall was outstanding, one of them movies you can watch ten times and never get tired of. Finally, this week’s lazy evenings have also been spent watching cult classics ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill Vol.1&2’.
TV
Ever since finishing ‘Dark’ in July, I have been on the hunt for another binge-worthy show. Although it doesn’t feature time-travel, an impending apocalypse or mind-bending plot twists, American crime drama ‘The Sopranos’ is dominating my TV screen. Renowned as one of the best TV shows of all time, I don’t know why I hadn’t started it sooner. Twenty years since its release, this show is marked as changing TV for the better, breaking away from the mould of the classic Mafia and thrusting it into the modern-day. Fellow fans of ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Narcos’ will rejoice in this addictive drama and thriller series.
Finally, ‘Glow’ and ‘Mindhunter’ are also back with a new series each on Netflix which I can’t wait to get around to.
Listening to
Still in my little movie buff bubble, soundtracks from the aforementioned films, as well as ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘Big Little Lies’ are on repeat. These shows ooze perfection and the soul-tinged soundtracks are no different. Whenever watching I’m always wondering what that song was. Luckily Spotify playlists have my back.
Moreover, the second series of the ‘Off Menu’ podcast has somehow topped the first, guests including Dynamo, ‘Fleabag’ star Sian Clifford and Loyle Carner.
Couch to 5K, Complete.
When I started Couch to 5K 9 weeks ago, never did I think I’d stick with it until the end. I honestly didn’t think I would even make it past the Week 3 mark after how exhausted I felt. But, I completed it and I’m running 5K at an average of 27 minutes. Some days are easier than others – aching legs, shortness of breath, temperamental weather conditions – but I’m hoping to keep it up. I couldn’t recommend downloading the app and giving it a go more.
Recent Posts
48 Hours in London
Almost Adults by Ali Pantony Book Review
21 Things I’ve Learned At 21.
As always, be sure to let me know what little things you’ve been loving!
What have you been reading, watching and listening to lately? Let me know in the comments!
Evie
♥
Totally agree with you on Once Upon a Time In Hollywood! I saw it weeks ago and literally haven’t stopped thinking/talking about it. I’ve listened to pretty much every podcast about it too. Consider me obsessed lol.
briana | youngsophisticate.com
Yess, glad I’m not the only one who is officially obsessed haha, need to watch it again!
I’ve been reading so much more this week and watching TV more due to the weather, too! I love getting cosy in bed with a good book whilst the rain is tapping on my window x
So relaxing right? Let me have a night in over a night out any day! x
I’d heard mixed reviews about Once Upon A Time In…Hollywood but I think I may still have to go and watch it now!
Lucy | Forever September
I can understand why it may not be for everyone, Tarantino’s films will never be everyone’s cup of tea, but I absolutely loved it! x
Sweet potato fries sound so good omggg. Maybe I need to find some fries before I head home tonight haha // I need to catch up with your London trip! I’ll hunker down one cosy evening for it this weekend ❤ // I loved reading Reasons To Stay Alive with you! I have no regrets about buying my own copy new ❤ I seriously need to get around to reading Handmaid’s Tale. I was hoping to get around to finish off rereading the HP series for the first time in my life as I just have the last book to go, but I don’t think I’ll get around to it this month! (That’s what I said last month too, sigh. Maybe I’m subconsciously waiting for autumn to come around to dive back into the series.) Anywho, I hope you love HP! I’ve been listening along to the Potterless podcast as I’ve been rereading the series. Potterless is hosted by a guy in his mid-20s who is reading the series for the first time, and on his podcast he makes snarky comments haha. // Yesterday I binged all of Diagnosis on Netflix! It’s a medical docu series ? Would highly recommend if you’re into that kind of stuff! // Congrats on completing the Couch to 5K! That’s huge! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Same! It was such an incredible book. The Handmaid’s Tale was just as amazing as I thought it would be, I couldn’t recommend the audiobook more! Haha I can definitely understand why you’d want to save HP until autumn, even listening to the audiobook feels so cosy, I’m loving it! The podcast sounds so fun too so I’ll be sure to check it out haha. Thanks you so much Audrey!! ❤
Oh my gosh I love dark so it was so nice to see that someone else had watched it too, it’s such an underrated show. I also really Matt Haigs books especially reasons to stay alive! Thanks for sharing x
Kayleigh Zara ? http://www.kayleighzaraa.com
Yes!! I barely know anyone else who has watched the show, can’t believe it’s not as popular! Can’t wait to read more by Haig!
I love reading these types of posts, I always find new things to read and watch. I am always watching different series because I finish them so quick on Netflix. I haven’t seen any of the ones you have so they are definitely on my list for my next to watch! Also Snatch is an amazing film! X
I’m the same! Hope you enjoy them, Dark is my absolute favourite! x
I haven’t read Harry Potter yet either! I’m planning to start the series in a few weeks!
I don’t know why it’s taken me so long!
Such a nice blog post idea! I really need to go see Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, it really seems great???
It was incredible, I hope you enjoy it!
Ohhh I’m seeing Once Upon A Time In Hollywood tomorrow and can’t wait I’ve heard so many amazing things about it!! Gorgeous post Hun x
Grace Louise || http://www.gracelouiseofficial.blogspot.co.uk/
Ah I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Thank you x
I’ve heard such mixed reviews for Once Upon A Time in Hollywood! I still think I want to go see it and form my own opinion but I’m glad you enjoyed it! Congrats on finishing couch to 5k! I really need to get round to watching the Handmaid’s Tale I feel like I’m missing out. I’ve managed to read 5 books in the last 10 days as I was on holiday, I think the best one I read was The Flatshare.
I can understand why the film may not be for everyone, but definitely watch it for yourself and see what you think. Oh I flew through The Flatshare too! One of my favourites of the year by far, so glad you loved it! x
I got so happy to see you tweet about finally reading the HP books! And yes, isn’t Stephen Fry’s narration so so so good?! Soak up these last few days of summer, I know I certainly did before school came all too soon. I wish I could download Couch to 5k, but it seems it’s only available on the UK App Store! What a bummer because I would have loved to do that :/ Good thing I always have the Nike Running app to fall back on. I really enjoy the running plans I can do on there, although I’d love for more variety as there are currently only 3 plans, and I’ve done one and am midway through the second.
brineandbooks.com
I’ve only just discovered the Nike Running app – hopefully it’ll keep me motivated now that Couch to 5K’s over! x
I’m glad you had a good birthday and had fun celebrating! I’m dying to see Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, it looks so good. Yay for completing the couch to 5K and want to continue, I really like the Nike running app if you want to try some training plans for longer distances x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
I’m tempted to go and watch it again! Ah thank you! I’ve just downloaded it, can’t wait to give it a go! x
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