LOOK / LISTEN

WHAT WE'RE READING

The Color of Everything: A Journey to Quiet the Chaos Within by Cory Richards

“In order to escape madness, I will live madly. I will risk my life in order to save it.” Renowned climber and National Geographic photographer Richards recounts his escape from a tumultuous childhood through climbing and photography. With stunning photos and candid prose, the book chronicles his incredible adventures—from summiting some of the world’s highest peaks to surviving a catastrophic avalanche—but it’s also a poignant exploration of his battle with bipolar disorder, addiction, and the lingering effects of early trauma. With candor, Richards shares his journey of confronting his darkest demons and the relentless pursuit of inner peace.

Goodreads score: 4.21/5

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

This captivating and humorous debut novel follows the unconventional journey of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist in the 1960s. Despite her groundbreaking work, Elizabeth faces sexism at every turn—until she unexpectedly becomes the star of a wildly popular cooking show, Supper at Six. With her scientific approach to cooking, Elizabeth not only entertains but inspires women to defy the status quo. Alongside a dazzling cast of supporting characters, this novel explores themes of equality, resilience, and the power of one woman’s determination to change the world around her. It's a witty, heartwarming, and empowering read that will leave you cheering for its extraordinary protagonist.

Goodreads score: 4.29/5

WHERE WE'RE TUNED IN

Wide Awake Podcast

Hosted by Joshua Rubin, this podcast looks behind the veil of South African society, uncovering the stories of gangsters, politicians, celebrities and murderers. Rubin is a talented photographer and videographer who has honed his skills of capturing the country, and channeled that into creating a listening experience challenges our preconceived ideas and biases. Through conversations with the likes of track athlete Wayde van Niekerk, political cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro and Pollsmoor prison warden Kieron Reddy, Rubin seeks to strip away prejudice, tell unfiltered stories, and reveal what we all have in common: we are human.

Spotify rating: 4.9/5

Cercle on YouTube

This music experience curators and record label’s channel is for the cinematography and electronic music kids. The Cercle YouTube channel started out showcasing hour-long DJ and live music sets in clubs or home settings, and has slowly progressed to unparalleled visual and audio experiences. The most magnificent architectural or natural sites, like Petra and Lençóis Maranhenses National Park become the backdrop as some of the worlds best DJs and unique musicians play. Some videos include crowds of happy dancing people, and others just show the artists solo, with just their instrumments. It’s the kind of YouTube channel that you can play for hours on end, either as background music to your house party or a sitdown audiovisual experience.

Subscribers: 3.2 million

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

Yellowstone

This gripping drama series dives deep into the turbulent world of John Dutton, a sixth-generation rancher played by Kevin Costner. As the head of the largest contiguous ranch in the United States, Dutton navigates a ruthless landscape filled with political corruption, land-hungry developers, and the constant threat of violence. The series masterfully blends family loyalty with power struggles, as Dutton fights to protect his land from the encroaching town, an Indian reservation, and America's first national park. With its intense storytelling, complex characters, and breathtaking scenery, Yellowstone is a must-watch for fans of epic family sagas and high-stakes drama.

Tomatometer: 84%

Thelma

Inspired by director Josh Margolin's own grandmother, Thelma reimagines the classic action hero through the lens of a granny. The movie cleverly uses action movie tropes to highlight the resilience and agency of aging. With an infectious sense of humor, Thelma stars the legendary June Squibb in her first leading role, bringing grit and determination to the titular character who proves she's more than capable of handling whatever comes her way. Supported by a talented cast including Parker Posey and Clark Gregg, Thelma is a heartwarming and hilarious tribute to the strength of seniors and a fresh twist on the action genre.

Tomatometer: 99%