Although most people that know me know I am a big talker, I love to listen too and now I have a minimum of 2 hours to drive to my place of work every day, it means I have time to listen to a plethora of music, podcasts and audio books. Each month I want to let you know what I am listening to and every month I will try and review at least one of those things.
Listening to in September – Music
This month I have been listening to a Musicals playlist Claire and I collaboratively put together on Spotify. I have been paying for Spotify for as long as I can remember and enjoy the freedom it gives me to listen to whatever I want, when I want. My favourite tracks are those from Rent (I am a dedicated Renthead), the News Boys (or Newsies as it’s know in America) and Dear Evan Hansen which I hope comes to the West End as it’s been critically acclaimed, with the music being as uplifting and catchy as the Greatest Showman was.
Listening to in September – Podcasts
I got back in to the Archers this month. Up until 2 years ago I used to listen to the omnibus every single week, without fail. There is something so luring about Ambridge, the farming community and the story lines that I re-joined (after doing a catch up of the story line since I left it) and listened once again. I have not been disappointed and found it really easy to get back in to. 1hr and 15 minutes of cute village escapism.
I also have been enjoying recently the Guilty Feminist Podcast. I don’t know how I found this but I sure it was just through searching popular podcosts on spotify or maybe even audible. Once I had listened to 1 episode, which is around 1hr long, and I was hooked. They do live recordings and I hope to get to one in the future. The premise of this podcast, as it starts with the presenters saying ‘I’m a feminist, but…’ giving scenarios that we probably all have used or thought or done at one point but still flying the feminist flag. I like this style, it’s filled with culture and comedy and it’s balanced really well for me.
Listening to in September – Books
I love a trashy novel. We start off being read fairy tales and some of us continue reading the same sort of thing growing up. I have always loved that story where a girl might have some sort of tragedy or a big change happens, she meets a guy, she hates guy, she ends up in some sort of scenario where said guy comes to rescue and she miraculously realises she was in love with him the whole time. It’s predictable, mostly, but I do enjoy it.
I did however download Dawn O’ Porters book the Cows. I really enjoyed this novel. Had great twists and turns and I laughed hard at some points and was totally shocked at others. Definitely one I would recommend.
Another book I listened to, as I had been thinking about it a while but wasn’t sure, was Gail Honeyman’s first book, Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine. I will be doing a separate review on this as it really deserves a full write up.
I listened to it in a few days as I would have it on whilst cooking or in the bath.
Other books listened to this month were:
- David Sedaris – Calypso. I like David Sedaris and I had heard his BBC podcast a few times as well as reading another one of his books a few years ago. As usual this was written in a memoir style littered with humour,
- Lucy Diamond – The house of new beginnings. A really easy predictable book. Started last year so hadn’t found it easy to get in to but managed to finish it in September,
- Cathy Bramley – The Plumberry School of Comfort food – again a nice easy predictable book. Similar to the above,
- and the current book I am listening to, Trisha Ashley – The Little Teashop of Lost and Found.
You can see a bit of a theme in the books I have mentioned but it’s just they are easy to dip in and out of if I find something I want to get stuck in to.
I also have a Stephen Fry – Mythos to get in to – although it’s beenhard going so far. I will keep trying. And Sister Noon by Karen Joy Fowler, the author of one of my favourite books, We are all completely beside ourselves.
My credit starts again on the 25th of the month so any recommendations would be great appreciated. I would love to broaden my horizons on book front.
I’m always looking for new things to listen to so please do jot a comment below if you have anything?
Leah
I really keep meaning to download books for when I can’t be bothered to read.
Haha – it’s great – it’s like having a bed time story, adult style.
Thanks for all the great recommendations. Off to listen to the Guilty Feminist podcast now!
I hope you enjoy it – let me know if you do!
I keep meaning to read Elinor Oliphant because I hear such great things about it. Dawn O’Porters The Cows is on my list too. I wish I could get my act together and start writing my own novel….
You should! I would love toread it – youknow my ideal job would be to be a audiobook reader, so if you do – I would definitely be up for reading it.
I have just bought The Cows to read, I cannot wait to get started
I’d like to download books to listen to, especially as i do a lot of travelling
I always forget the option of listening to books rather than reading them it might be worth my trialling this in the gym or on a run as I get bored of music playlist from time to time.
I always forget the option of listening to books rather than reading them it might be worth my trialling this in the gym or on a run as I get bored of music playlist from time to time. I’ve been listening to a lot of Sam Smith lately
Oh some lovely ideas here! Now that I have my mornings back between school and nursery runs I might pick one or two off your list.
People keep recommending the Guilty Feminist Podcast to me! Going to look it up right now.
Gotta love listening to all the musicals! I haven’t ever listened to a podcast but it sounds like there’s some really good ones available! Might have to give some a listen! xo