LOOK / LISTEN

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

WHAT WE'RE READING

Weyward by Emilia Hart

Three women from different centuries are united by their hidden strengths and connection to the natural world. In 2019, Kate escapes her abusive partner and retreats to Weyward Cottage, a mysterious inheritance from her great aunt and uncovers the cottage's secrets. In 1619 Altha faces trial for witchcraft, her knowledge of nature branded as dangerous magic. As World War II rages in 1942, Violet yearns for freedom and education, bound by societal norms and haunted by her mother's mysterious past. This spellbinding novel weaves their stories together, celebrating female resilience and the enduring power of nature.

Goodreads score: 4.08/5

All the Living and the Dead by Hayley Campbell

Embarking on a three-year journey across the US and the UK, journalist Hayley Campbell delvies into the world of the death industry. Inspired by her childhood fascination with death, Campbell meets a variety of professionals including embalmers, funeral directors, crime scene cleaners, and even a former executioner. Through her compassionate and probing interviews, she explores why these individuals choose to work so closely with death and how it shapes their perspectives on life. This captivating book blends reportage with memoir, history, and philosophy, offering a profound look at Western attitudes toward death and the people who confront it daily.

Goodreads score: 4.25/5

WHERE WE'RE TUNED IN

Borderless by Natalie Lynn

Natalie started her YouTube channel about eight years ago, initially trailing a stereotypical youtuber format. Through her first series titled 800 Miles, Natalie quickly found her unique style of videography on a weeklong road trip through parts of the USA. Two years ago she bought, renovated, lived and travelled in a van, the process of which was documented in her most recent series titled Borderless In this 8 part production, her nostalgic, Wes Anderson influenced filmmaking style truly comes to life, and is a viewing pleasure for any cinephiles. While her channel has come to a standstill, with Borderless being her last body of work, subscribing will do no harm, as whatever she has up her sleeve next is sure to impress.

Huberman Lab

This health and science podcast is hosted by Andrew Huberman, an American neuroscientist and associate professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. His laboratory's recent studies focuses on the influence of vision and respiration on brain states like fear and high attention focus, and developing rapid and effective tools for mitigating stress and improving sleep. Covering a diverse range of topics from mental health and fertility to ADHD and meditation, Huberman and his podcast guests - predominantly doctors - give professional yet comprehensible insight.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

The Dallas Cowboys NFL team are regarded as America’s football team. Their cheerleaders, who have been around since the 70’s, are regarded as America’s sweethearts. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) has become arguably the most highly coveted cheer squad on the planet, with thousands of young, hopeful women auditioning every year for one of 36 spots. This docu-series takes an in-depth look at the 2023 auditions, training camp, and football season. Following the organisers, veterans and rookie dancers through gruelling preparation and heartbreaking cuts, the series highlights one of USA’s most lucrative sports businesses and also shows the dark underbelly of what it truly means to be America’s Sweethearts.

Tomatometer: 100%

Hit Man

Gary Johnson (Glen Powell) is a prim and proper professor by day, but moonlights as a fake hit man for the New Orleans Police Department. He has a knack for slipping into various personas to catch would-be criminals in the act of hiring a hitman, changing up his characters to meet client expectations of what a hitman should be. Under the guise of slick and cool Ron, Gary meets Madison (Adria Arjona), a beautiful young woman seeking to oust her troublesome husband. Romance ensues, and so does deception, drama and ever-escalating stakes.

Tomatometer: 95%