I know it’s
been a while since I posted – but life gets in the way!
One of my
favourite podcasts at the moment is The
Moth, which is true stories told by real people – originating in the U.S,
but we have a version here in Australia – my friend Judith from our writers’
group, Writestuff, performed her own true story on The Moth.
Then of
course, there’s my old favourite This American Life, which continually
surprises me with its interesting content and professional production.
Someone Knows Something, by David Ridgen, who investigates
cold cases, has me absolutely hooked – the first two seasons were great. His
recent update has me chomping at the bit for
Season 3, which doesn’t begin until November.
Homecoming, featuring Catherine Keenan and David
Schwimmer is a gripping fictional psychological drama – the storyline involves
returning war veterans and the social worker who tries to help them. Very well
produced and am hanging out for Season 3.
I’m always
listening to language podcasts, particularly French – one of the most
consistent and best is Learn French by
Podcast presented by Hugh Nagle (with a delightful Irish accent) and Amelie
Verdier – very easy to understand including all levels of French and there are
useful grammar explanations included. Coffee
Break Spanish is also a favourite, as well as Notes in Spanish, where an
English/Spanish couple present easy to understand dialogues and language
explanations in Spanish.
Meditation Minis, which I think I’ve mentioned before is by
hypnotist Chel Hamilton, short meditation/relaxation exercises not very long
and different themes such as overcoming fear and creating a powerful positive
state.
Best of
all, these are all FREE and can be downloaded on iTunes.
***
Television – and I admit, I’m an addict! Netflix has me
hooked once again!
I’ve
watched several seasons of Broadchurch,
an English crime series, with very believable flawed characters.
My latest
find is Jack Taylor, again a crime
series centred around a very flawed alcoholic ex-policeman set in Galway with
those delicious Irish accents – very watchable and quite long – allow about an
hour and a half for each episode.
Pulse, an Australian drama series set in a hospital,
is also great.
***
Books – Have been reading Apple Tree Yard, by Louise Doughty. It’s a thriller which has been
made into a movie recently. The Sense of an Ending by Julian
Barnes, a Man Booker prize winner, and a thought-provoking story about how a
man is haunted by his past.
Hillbilly Elegy by J D Vance is a really interesting easy to
read memoir about American culture and reflects some of the more dramatic
recent changes in American politics.
Last week I
attended the launch of ‘Golf
Interrupted’ a new novel written by one of our members at the Writers’
Centre, Peter Anderson. It’s beautifully
written and tells the story of a forensic psychiatrist and his three golfing
mates, called out to a siege from the golf course. It’s a story of loss and
friendship beautifully told. The pelican featured on the cover guides Sebastian
in his golf and his life.
