LOOK / LISTEN

Our monthly round-up of good books, podcasts, channels, movies and series.

WHAT WE'RE READING

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

Clover Brooks is a death doula in New York City who has spent her life helping others achieve a peaceful passing. From her early encounter with death in kindergarten to her commitment to her profession following the loss of her grandfather, Clover finds herself more attuned to the dying than the living. Her dedication leaves little room for her own life until an elderly woman's final request propels her on a transformative road trip. Through this journey, Clover uncovers a forgotten love story and is confronted with the challenge of seeking her own happiness. Blending elements of romance, friendship, and self-discovery, Brammer’s novel is both probing and hopeful, turning the often taboo topic of death into a celebration of life.

Goodreads score: 4.18/5

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt examines the alarming rise in adolescent mental health issues that began in the early 2010s. Haidt traces this epidemic to the decline of a “play-based childhood” and the rise of a “phone-based childhood,” which has fundamentally disrupted children’s social and neurological development. Through meticulous analysis, he reveals how factors such as sleep deprivation, social media addiction, and perfectionism have particularly impacted girls, while boys retreat into virtual worlds with dire consequences. Beyond diagnosing the problem, Haidt offers a compelling call to action, outlining steps that parents, educators, tech companies, and governments can take to combat this crisis.

Goodreads score: 4.51/5

WHERE WE'RE TUNED IN

Bandsplain

Yasi Salek, a music madwoman fascinated by cult bands and their fandoms, hosts this podcast. Every episode welcomes a guest speaker, varying from music journalists to artists themselves, who make the case for a great band or iconic musician. Salek and the similarly music-obsessed guests unpack the makings of cult bands like The Pixies, Blondie and Talking Heads, including a curated playlist to help listeners understand the hype. A Bandsplain episode can be anywhere from one to five hours long, depending on how much the guests and Salek have to discuss. The listening experience is like sitting in on a conversation between two hipsters, endlessly ranting and raving about bands while listening to their music.

Our favourite episode: The National with Jeremy Bolm

Sounds Like a Cult

This easy-to-listen podcast hosted by Amanda Montell and Isa Medina discusses movements from the cultural zeitgeist that perform like cults. Through episodes like The Stanley Cup , Burning Man and Chiropractors , Montell and Medina (who no longer co-hosts the podcast’s new episodes) critically consider why so many people jump onto these bandwagons and form communities united by a shared obsession. Drawing similarities between real cults (think drinking kool-aid) and the current cultural moment, Sounds Like a Cult is a fun investigation into how capitalism, social media and a yearning to belong influences human nature.

Our favourite episode: The Cult of Fast Fashion

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

LaRoy, Texas

Released in April this year to roaring reviews, this neo-noir film is said to be a treat for fans of crime thrillers. Ray, a small-town hardware store owner’s life spirals out of control after discovering his wife Stacy-Lynn's infidelity. When Ray is mistaken for a hitman, he inadvertently becomes embroiled in a deadly plot involving a local lawyer's murder. As Ray stumbles through this dark and twisted journey, he confronts betrayal, violence, and the grim realities of his own life. Themes of desperation, betrayal, and the search for redemption are intricately woven into this gripping narrative, making LaRoy, Texas an exploration of human nature and moral ambiguity.

Tomatometer: 100%

Taskmaster (YouTube)

Running since 2015, Taskmaster is a British comedy panel game show currently in its 17th series. Hosted by comedians Greg Davies and Alex Horne, each season welcomes five other guest comedians who compete in weird, wonderful and sometimes mind-boggling “Tasks.” Some tasks require critical thinking and are scored by time, others require creativity and are scored by comedic relief. Each season is unique, as the guest comedians bring their distinct personalities and comedic style to the show. The winner of an episode walks away with the other contestants’ unwanted items and the overall season winner gets a gold-plated statue of Greg Davies, the Taskmaster’s head.