A favourite new food show

I started watching The Chef Show the other day when I was at home with a cold and it is so. much. fun. The pairing is what makes it the most enjoyable for me - chef Roy Choi had previously trained writer, producer and actor Jon Favreau before he shot the film Chef and played one on screen.

In the Netflix show they reunite to cook together and with friends. Their exchanges are friendly and gentle, and they just seem like they're having fun making and eating a bunch of food together. It's a nice break from some of the more serious and macho food shows out there.

My two favourite episodes so far are the ones where they recreate meals from the movie, and the one that pays tribute to the late LA food critic Jonathan Gold. But most of all, I enjoy watching Jon have a go, occasionally freak out and Roy gently correct and encourage him. If you haven't watched the movie (I hadn't until last weekend) the series is still super fun.

Another lovely food thing while we're here, if you're a fan of Alison Roman too, I loved her interview on The Cut podcast.  Over the weekend I finally baked her famous cookie (they went viral last year). I am normally more of a chewy choc chip cookie type but boy these totally live up to the hype.

Two fun things to listen to in the kitchen (or anywhere)

I've spent a lot of time in the kitchen these past few days. There was a double batch of mac and cheese with gruyere and caramelised onions - one for our freezer and another for friends. I also made a whole lemon lemonade with rosemary, more Anzac bikkies, and tortellini from scratch that had us dining at 10.30pm (!). Keeping me in the company in the kitchen...

The TASTE podcast, which I stumbled across while Googling podcast episodes with Ruth Reichl. It's an interview podcast which features some of my favourite cooks, from Smitten Kitchen's Deb Perelman to Christina Tosi, Alison Roman and Dorie Greenspan. I've loved hearing about their perspectives on food and cooking. It's not a new podcast - it's been running for about a year - but at the moment, it's my favourite thing to listen to while making a meal. I'm super keen to sample their daily podcast during the week.

And because sometimes it's nice to just zone out and listen to music, I've also had Anderson .Paak's new album Ventura on repeat. It's kind of old school and new at the same time and very sunny. My brother Derrick messaged me months ago to say I'd like his music - and this is my fave album of his so far.

Have a lovely week ahead. I am a tiny bit nervous about heading back to work after so many days off. I'll miss messing around the kitchen, going out for coffee, and crisp Autumn walks. All things that can be done during the working week, just not all on the same day :)

Favourite books 2018

Did you read anything great in 2018? I read a mix of new (and hyped) novels, memoirs, graphic novels and essays, and managed to finish more than 40 titles (I didn't have a goal but totally counted!). My favourite place to read is in a cafe, because I'm less distracted by my phone and... all the things I could be making in my kitchen.

Cafe reading usually happens about once a month, often when I'm travelling for work and getting breakfast out on my own, or if it's a really great book, I'll ride to work extra early and stop for a coffee midway and squeeze in a chapter or two. It's one of my favourite things to do on holidays, with Tony usually excited to sit and draw. But most days, I read right before bed :)

I shared my faves from the first half of the year but wanted to make an updated list of my overall highlights. With books, my biggest win for 2018 was relying heavily on the library for most of my books, including new release cookbooks. I reserve lots of titles, as early as I can, which means something new is waiting for me most fortnights.

Novels

If you're looking for something entertaining that's also heartfelt, I really enjoyed Less by Andrew Sean Greer. It was one of the funniest books I read last year that was scarily relatable in parts. I also loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.

When it comes to epics that take you into other cultures, families and relationships, I'd recommend An American Marriage by Tayari Jones and Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. I've also just finished If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim, which reminds me of Pachinko in some ways and Grave of the Fireflies too.

The Female Persuasion was my first Meg Wolitzer book, and will definitely read more. I could totally relate to the main character's understanding of feminism changing and evolving - especially as she enters different life stages.

Non-fiction

My all-time favourite non-fiction book was Alone Time: Four seasons, four cities and the pleasures of solitude by Stephanie Rosenbloom, a travel writer for The New York Times. Each chapter focuses on a topic, like the art of savouring food or how we often feel the need to capture solo experiences with our phones. The writing moves effortlessly between Stephanie's experiences as a traveller and academic studies and theories. I liked it so much I bought a copy after retuning a borrowed one to the library.

I read a lot of Obama related books this year! To Obama, With Love, Joy, Hate and Despair by Jeanne Marie Laskas tracked the two terms of the Obama presidency through the thousands of letters sent to his office, and interviews with the staff who organised and read them (as well an interview with Obama himself).

We Were Eight Years in Power was a denser and more difficult read but it broadened my understanding of African American history as well as contemporary US politics. There's an essay in it about Michelle Obama that touched on what it's like to grow up in a neighbourhood surrounded by your own kind, which helped me understand what I only encountered racism later in my life. I also read his earlier book Between The World and Me, that's written as a letter to his son. It's excellent and if you're picking between the two, I'd recommend reading it first.

The Year of Less by Cait Flanders helped solidify my approach to spending money, and buying things more consciously if at all. It was also a revealing book, and wasn't just about minimalism as an ideal.

And in the lead up to Christmas, I listened to Leigh Sales read her latest book Any Ordinary Day. I am very easily spooked by tragic accidents and terrorist attacks, and could relate to how being in a newsroom can make you hyperaware of all these things and more. Each interview in the book seemed intimate, happening at her house of the individuals, so it was extra special to listen to this as an audio book.

Memoir

I love love loved Dolly Alderton's Everything I Know About Love because it's very much a book about finding out who you are (often the hard way), the beauty that comes with close friendships and the comfort that can come with being alone.

I listened to Becoming by Michelle Obama, because she reads the audio book. I may have written this here before but I found her book so affirming, and looked forward to listening to it after work and on weekends. I am trying to hunt down a copy of the book so I can look at the pictures :)

I also enjoyed two NYC-themed books, Sloane Crosley's Look Alive Out There, which is actually a book of very funny and surprising essays. Also Mari Andrew's Am I There Yet? was the perfect book to read in a transitional year, and before starting a new job.

Let me know if there's anything great that I missed!

A new favourite podcast

What kinds of podcasts are you enjoying at the moment? Lately I've been really into interview shows, especially the kinds that perk me up, no matter what time of day I'm listening. For the last two weeks, my go-to podcast has been Unstyled by Refinery 29.

It's hosted by Christine Barberich, who is a wonderful, clever and empathetic interviewer. She chats to a super diverse range of women about their working lives, covering everything from career trajectories to daily routines. I first tuned in after hearing about an interview with Hanya Yanagihara, author of A Little Life. Since then I've been cherry picking episodes, including this one with Jenna Lyons of J. Crew fame, an interview with Laura Brown, the Australian editor of US In Style magazine, and a chat with Busy Phillips ahead of the launch of her late night talk show.

I only recognise a handful of guests but have since learnt that that doesn't matter. The conversations are heartfelt and wide ranging, and magically I always feel more positive about my day after listening.

Unstyled isn't a new podcast (it's been going since late 2016) but it's new to me, which means there's a decent back catalogue of episodes to work through. Here's hoping I don't burn through them too quickly :)

P.S Another interview show I've been loving (along with Tony) is Without Fail. While I don't have any hard and fast career goals, I'm fascinated by how people build their careers and all of the little choices (and set backs) that happen along the way.

Easy spring picnics

On Sunday afternoon, we grabbed some brie, kombucha and hummus from the grocer near our apartment and headed outside for a late snacky lunch. We went to our favourite spot, a shady area by the lake that played host to Christmas last year, and it was one of those moments that was just really nice. It reminded me that picnics can be just as fun without a homemade pasta salad or a specially made batch of brownies.

The very next day, we woke up early and drove to a national park because we'd been invited to do a yoga class by a waterfall and who says no to that? The class ended up being on top of the waterfall, rather than below it as I was expecting, which was nothing short of terrifying. But we survived and were rewarded with breakfast :)

The hosts served yoghurt, fruit salad, nuts, muesli, muffins and tea and I was grateful to be tucking into my first mango of the season. We chatted and ate on top of a rock that overlooked some mountains, with cool breezes and the sound of the waterfall trickling below us. It was pinch-me great.

And because I have a weakness for chocolate coated fruit and nuts, I was stoked to try the chocolate that was part of the breakfast spread.  Choc chai almonds are my new obsession, from the serve-yourself-nut section of Coles. I am so looking forward to more spur of the moment picnics this season.

Easter plans

I'm super excited about the Easter break and hope you are too! My parents are coming to visit and I'm making baked salmon and sticky date pudding for their first night in town. We're all heading to my sister's place on Sunday for an Easter egg hunt and lasagne, and I can't wait to give my niece and nephew their eggs.

This holiday also marks a tiny change for me. I start a new job next week, which I'm really excited about :) I'm also grateful to have a bit of a breather in between. We'll be home this Easter, so I bought myself some flowers to make our home extra joyful. Here's what's planned:

I feel like everyone on Instagram is reading this book. I picked it up after Jessica and Megan gave it rave reviews. I'm planning to pack it on my a picnic for one!

I'll be making hot cross buns on Good Friday, plus these beautiful chocolate drops using some edible flowers leftover from this birthday cake. In years past I've made hot cross bun pancakes for Easter Sunday. Side note: Nigella's latest cookbook is all about home cooking and it's great.

There are so many good plays on in Sydney at the moment (very sad I missed this one!) and one of them is coming to Canberra. We have tickets to see Black Is The New White on Saturday night and I'm hoping for some pre-show dumplings and post-show gelato.

And here's my overly ambitious home project ;) My friend Adele gave me a copy of Beci Orpin's book Sunshine Spaces last week. I'd love to replicate this indoor plant stand at home so our apartment will be colourful come winter.

Have a safe and happy Easter!

Photos: Chocolate drop photo by Julia Gartland for Food52, cast photo from The Sydney Theatre Company, Sunshine Spaces photo by Chris Middleton.

New Year goodness

This time last year I made a list of fun things to try in 2017. They were small things I'd never done before, like order an affogato or go boogie boarding. Some things were ticked off right away, while others had to wait until the last few weeks of the year. It was really fun and I'm doing it again this year. I'm still building my list - so far making jam is the only thing on it!

The new year brings so much expectation and promise, and I'm trying to be extra kind to myself as I transition back to work. I've been leafing through Meredith Gaston's beautiful illustrated book The Art of Wellbeing for inspiration. It's full of recipes and meditations, and is about making our daily lives more joyful. I bought it as a New Year's gift to myself.

I didn't listen to many podcasts over the break but when I did, I picked an episode from this list of 2017 highlights. The hosts of Call Your Girlfriend recommended She's All Fat, "the podcast for body positivity, radical self-love and chill vibes only."
 

It's really good. I started with an episode about confidence, and immediately texted my sister about it. The theme song makes me smile and the show is super fun, inclusive and challenging. It also leaves you feeling good about yourself and your place in the world. My sister also recommends bodyposipanda on Instagram.

One other nice thing, Death, Sex and Money put out a mini-podcast in the first week of this month called Pull Quote. The episodes are super short, usually a couple of minutes max, and they're clips from memorable interviews. Each one offers something to ruminate on over the day and I hope the series continues in 2018!

✨✨✨⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨ let's keep sparkling ✨✨✨⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨

A post shared by rupi kaur (@rupikaur_) on Dec 31, 2017 at 8:23am PST

My cousin Melissa shared this poem by Rupi Kaur on New Year's Day. I've been craving mint choc chip ice cream ever since. I've also been scrolling through excerpts from her latest book on Instagram, while I wait for my copy to come in from the library.

Libraries are great btw! Mine has so many new release cookbooks, which is going to save me a lot of money this year (fingers crossed). I request books all the time, and it's kind of nice not knowing what's going to come in when.

Here's what I'm waiting on: The Tivoli Road Baker by Michael James, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, The No Spend Year by Michelle McGagh, Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, and Bread is Gold by Massimo Bottura.

What podcast should you try out next?

Every week, I find myself trying out a bunch of new podcasts, looking for something to add to my favourites. This week I'm sampling Hiding In The Bathroom, a podcast for introverts!

I have a few ways of finding new shows, The New York Times Podcast Club recommends one every week. It's how I discovered 74 Seconds, which has been one of the journalistic standouts of the year.

E-newsletters are great for super specific recommendations - the Bello Collective sends a regular email with a breakdown of recent podcast episodes of notes, along with a short description of why each made the list.

Because I produce the occasional audio piece for work, I listen to the Transom podcast, which is all about the craft of audio storytelling. They've put me onto awesome podcasts like Sleepover, and played incredible stories from first-time producers too.

This week I'm trying out Amazing Podcasts, which you can subscribe to in podcasting apps. It promises to deliver three curated episodes each week. At a glance, they seem to be mainly American shows with a news and current affairs bent - but there's an Oprah episode in there, so you never know!

And finally, Death, Sex & Money have put together a crowd-sourced playlist called Welcome to Adulthood, aimed at this year's cohort of new uni students. It's an eclectic mix of shows and topics, covering everything from getting your tech in order to processing grief. I listened to Ellen Burstyn's Lessons on Survival, and loved this: "I have what I called should-less days. Today is a day where there's nothing I should do. So I only do what I want to do. And if it's nap in the afternoon or watch TV, and eat ice cream, I get to do it."

P.S - Would you pay for a podcast? I've just started supporting one of my most favourite Australian podcasts, Not By Accident, on Patreon.  I've pledged a small amount per episode and feel great about doing it. I look forward to every new episode and really value it as an independent and artful production. The show is made by Canberra woman Sophie Harper, who shares her decision to become a single mum and everything that's happened since.

Recent reads

Did you read much over winter? I'm usually a very slow reader but lately I've been blitzing through books. Here are three I especially loved:

The Lonely City by Olivia Laing

My friend Irini gave me this book for my birthday last year, and I wanted to make sure I finished it before my 32nd year was up! It took me three chapters to really get into the book and after that, it travelled with me everywhere.

Its full title is The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone, and each chapter explores loneliness through the work of an American artist, while also touching on the writers experience of a break-up shortly after relocating to New York from London. It was a fascinating way to get into art history, and even though the theme is loneliness, I came out of the book with a strong sense of what it means to be part of a community.

Goodbye, Things by Fumio Saski

I've read a handful of books about minimalism, two favourites being The Art of Frugal Hedonism (hilarious and wise) and Simple Matters (especially good for homebodies). This one is practical, logical and challenging too. I am fascinated by Japanese culture and loved the layout of this book. The first section profiles a few Japanese minimalist households in pictures - including a family and a frequent traveller. The author also shares how he came to pare down his belongings, and the final section of the book is filled with quick and easy tips. Bonus points for a beautiful cover :)

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway 

My sister-in-law is a dedicated reader and I asked her for a novel recommendation earlier this year when I was in a reading rut. The Old Man and the Sea was recommended quickly, and she added that it should be read in a short period of time, if possible. It's a skinny book, with no chapters, and I finished it in a day. It's a beautiful story about a surprising relationship that features some very surreal scenes.

Three more books that I've mentioned before but wanted to re-recommend -
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan for something entertaining and fun,
Things That Helped by Jessica Friedmann for thoughtful and beautiful writing, and because it helped me understand my own brushes with depression in ways I'd never considered.
And I still smile at Insomniac City by Bill Hayes whenever I see it in a bookshop, I'm keen to re-read it before the year it out.

P.S - Tony gave me a Kindle for our third wedding anniversary. The theme was leather, so it came in a leather case :) I've been curious about Kindles for ages but wasn't sure whether I could make the switch from real books, which I love to collect. The verdict: I've had it for a few weeks and love it. It takes up hardly any space, which is great because I try to have a book on me at all times. I adapted to using is almost instantly, and my first purchase was an older book that has to be ordered at the book shop, which I was stoked to get for $10.

Birthday wish list

I'm turning 33 in less than a month! On the day, I'm planning to climb a mountain and pack a donut and coffee picnic :) It falls on a Sunday so I might even make my own cake, inspired by this London bakery. Here are a few things I'd love to receive, starting with the latest issue of Cherry Bombe magazine, with Martha Stewart on the cover.

A silk pillowcase, because I always wake up with creases on my face!

This cookbook of Japanese cult classics, so I can make yakisoba and katsu-don at home. I've borrowed a copy from the library a few times and the recipes are straightforward and achievable. One cookbook is never enough... I also have my eye on Salt, Fat, Acid Heat. There's so much buzz about it!

My brother makes the best playlists - I am still listening to the ones he made for my wedding a few years ago! I asked him for an updated one as a birthday present. I'm listening to his show while I wait.

And I'm keen to give a Kindle a go, one with an inbuilt light for early morning reading. I recently packed two books for a four-day work trip, including one hardcover!

Staying warm and happy

Since it's the middle of winter, I've been making a special effort to plan ahead, so I don't go stir crazy while the days are icy and grey. The first step is dressing for the cold. On weekends I live in thin merino jumpers from Uniqlo, a black down jacket, and my pom pom beanie (similar), which is equal parts warm and silly.

Then I go outside. On weekends, I've been going on long walks while the sun is out. I walked up Mount Taylor on Saturday and listened to this fascinating podcast about the gut with writer and medical student Giulia Endres. It was recorded at the All About Women Festival and you can also watch the presentation and see all of the funny illustrations.

After that it was time for a big bowl of food. We went out for ramen and miso sweet potato poke bowls at Lazy Su. For weeknight dinners, I am loving Joy the Baker's bowl of food series - the baked eggplant and creamy polenta bowl is next on my list.

And finally, a few things to look forward to... Sofia Coppola's remake of The Beguiled comes out on Thursday (check out the trailer for the original!). And on my to-bake list are these chocolate fondants with sea salt.

(Chocolate fondant photo by Khoollect.)

Fun stuff

Even though I was sick for part of last week, there were a few things that made my days comfortable and happy. At the top of my list - Sleepover, a Canadian podcast hosted by Sook-Yin Lee. The premise of the show is zany - three strangers meet up with the host and spend the night together at a hotel. Each guest brings a problem they'd like some help with and three episodes are born.

The very first sleepover features an eight-year-old who can't read, a grumpy old man (think Carl from Up) who has control issues, and a 25-year-old Buzzfeed writer who isn't speaking to her dad. It's surprising and hilarious, and it would be a good podcast to listen to on a road trip with friends. It also made me miss Mystery Show.

Phoenix have a new album, Ti Amo, and it's an instant mood booster. J-Boy and Goodbye Soleil are my favourite tracks, I've also been revisiting this album from 1998!

I stumbled across a beautiful new cookbook the other week while I was shopping for a birthday present. Round to Ours is by Laura Jackson and Alice Levine, who run a supper club together in London. I have lots of cookbooks but this one is especially inviting. It's organised into events, from winter feasts to movie nights with friends (and pasta). It's worth it for the salted caramel brownie recipe alone.

Fun fact: Alice is from the My Dad Wrote A Porno podcast. The girls also have a funny online show called My Pop-Up Restaurant.

I bought these heat-tech socks from Uniqlo last year because they looked cosy. They're super warm and not too expensive. I've been wearing them on freezing morning rides and to bed at night :) And while we're kind of on the topic - these briefs are the best.

All things April

What are you getting up to in these few days of the month? I have a batch of Anzac cookies in the oven (I'm trying this recipe) and have just started the last season of Girls. Everyone's been saying it's the best season yet.

I finally bought a new fragrance while we were on holidays in Melbourne. I haven't worn perfume for years and this essential oil based fragrance is bright and floral without being too full on. It's my first roll on perfume and I love that it's pocket sized.

I'm going to try Jamie Oliver's chicken in milk, which has been described as "a slightly odd but really fantastic combination that must be tried." Bonus - it's a one pot meal.

And I'm about the finish the first season of How to Be a Girl, a podcast about parenting a transgender child. The host, who uses the pseudonym Marlo Mack, is warm and honest while sharing one of the biggest challenges of her life.

Books I read this summer

I read a bunch of different books over summer from a memoir to a Japanese novella. I even read a psychological thriller by accident! Here's a quick round-up:

Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
My friend Kristy sent me a copy of this Japanese novel from 1987 that includes the novella Moonlight Shadow. I got into the story straight away, it's reminiscent of Haruki Murakami novels from the same era. It's a mysterious and lovely story that had me craving a katsu curry.

Insomniac City: New York, Oliver, and Me by Bill Hayes
I love books set in New York City and this one was particularly special. I received it a few days after my grandfather died and it brought me a lot of comfort and joy. It's about moving to a new city and starting again while grieving. But it's a love story too - the writer starts a relationship with Oliver Sacks. It's a book I want to buy for friends and it comes out in April.

The Mothers by Brit Bennett
I enjoyed the quiet drama of this book, the characters and the writing too. It was surprisingly addictive, which meant it was over all too quickly. It reminded me of Modern Lovers, except with a little more action.

The Art of Frugal Hedonism by Annie Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb
I spotted this book on Anne's Instagram (which is great for book recommendations) and was immediately intrigued by the title. It's a fun and practical read that's helped changed the way I spend (and think about) money. Tony enjoyed it too. The chapters are short, so it's a good one to read on lunch breaks or while travelling.

I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
This book featured in two of my go-to reading lists but I panicked when I picked it up from the library -  'Unsettling, psychological horror...' was printed on the cover. I finished it quickly (I can't handle suspense) but it's not a genre I'll be returning to anytime soon.

I'm starting Messy tonight. I normally read novels (non-fiction sometimes makes me feel like I'm still at work) but I've heard a few podcast episodes with Tim Harford and could learn to live with a bit of chaos :) If you're curious, he pops up in these episodes of Hidden Brain and Planet Money.

I am always on the hunt for recommendations - especially for novels. Are you reading anything great at the moment? My sister-in-law recommends The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.

P.S Here's how to find more time to read.

Lucky dip dates

I've borrowed a sweet idea from Sydney stylist Megan Morton. A year ago I read that her family jots down fun activities on pieces of paper and pops them into a vase. It becomes a lucky dip when they have a pocket of free time to spend together.

Inspired by the idea, Tony and I have started a date book, which is filled with different kinds of activities we'd like to do together. We spent a lot of last year exploring places to eat in our new hometown so we're trying think of things other than eating :)

So far we've checked out a cute speakeasy's jazz night where we sipped gin fizzes and ate a huge bowl of olives. We happened to go on a stinking hot night, which was especially great because the bar was underground and air-conditioned - something we don't have at home.

And last Sunday we hiked up Mount Ainslie before breakfast, which we've been meaning to do for almost a year. Mount Majura has gone into the book for another time :) I'm yet to convince Tony to go for the lucky dip idea but for now it's been really fun - and we feel like we're getting heaps more out of the city.

P.S We've also started doing chore dates, which is mainly an excuse to eat ice cream after Sunday errands :)

New year, new podcasts

Are you listening to anything great at the moment? I've just started getting into podcasts again after a long break over summer. Right now, I look forward to getting home from work, putting on an episode of Strangers as I start to make dinner and unwind.

I really loved Eleven Up, which came recommended by my most favourite e-newsletter. It was a fascinating story that didn't shy away from big ethical questions. I've since enjoyed Jo & Fayaz  (I love love stories - Tony makes fun of this all the time) and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman.

The host, Lea Thau, has an incredibly gravely voice and is generous with her commentary too - you learn as much about her life as you do the people who feature on the show. And a fun fact: she also created The Moth podcast and The Moth Radio Hour. So if you love true stories about strangers - I think you'll love this podcast too.

Speaking of podcasts, I've also been dipping in and out of Hidden Brain after discovering it through This American Life last year. Getting Unstuck is particularly great for this time of year.

Binge listening to...

Last week I blitzed my way through the first season of Millennial, a podcast that documents what it's like to be in your twenties and on the hunt for your your first real job. My friend Sarah had mentioned it over lunch and that same week my sister did too.

It's hosted by Megan Tan, who graduates from college and sets out to become a radio producer. She moves out of home, waits tables while she's applying for jobs and records everything along the way.

I'd been warned that there were parts that were hard to relate to, for anyone who's not in their early twenties and that was true. But I found the hardest (and best) episodes to listen to were the ones that I could relate to a little too closely, that captured things we often keep hidden.

There's everything from trying to work out big things like money, when you've just moved out with a boyfriend to trying to keep your ambition in check when it comes to competing against other graduates for work.

It's a super honest podcast about having a professional goal and sticking to it, and parts of it were recorded in a closet!

P.S I'm late to the party but I also started listening to the Token this week from The Guardian. The series started in Australia and has since moved to the UK newsroom but it explores something that's been on my mind a lot lately - race, identity politics and the news.

Photo by Megan Tan.

A funny end to winter

I've spent the last few days eating icy poles (doctor's orders!) while I've been home with a mind-numbing bug. It hasn't been all bad - Tony's been sick too and yesterday we were awake enough to watch some TV.

We watched the latest Coen brothers film Hail Caesar! and the first season of Judd Apatow and Lesley Arfin's Love on Netflix. Love was a winner, it was funny and even a little sweet in parts too. We didn't get round to it but we watched the trailer for Sherpa and it looks excellent.

We both went back to work today, I'm still very much on the mend but when I'm better I want to eat spaghetti bolognese and cheeseburgers.

And that's our first Canberra winter just about done. Next time round I'm going to take vitamins, join a gym and accept the free flu shot at work :)

Currently watching...

It's been ages since I've had a TV show that I've really followed. Earlier this year Tony and I really got into Master of None and now we're watching another Netflix series - Chef's Table. 

Every episode is an in-depth profile of one chef and I was super keen to check it out after I learnt that the series is directed by David Gelb, who made the beautiful documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Last night we watched an episode about Argentinian chef Francis Mallmann, which has been the highlight of the first season.

Mallmann lives on an isolated island in Patagonia and the way he cooks is pretty wild. He has a team of gypsy chefs who help him cook outdoors - stringing up animals on crucifix style structures in front of fires, burying vegetables in cooking pits and plating up meals in the snow. Here's a little look.

I especially loved this line about life and work: "Today I think we educate kids to be settled in the comfortable chair. You have your job, you have your little car, you have a place to sleep and the dreams are dead. You don't grow on a secure path. All of us should conquer something in life. And it needs a lot of work and it needs a lot of risk."

Side note: This interview with director David Gelb was what prompted me to watch the show :) 

Audio books - an introduction

Do you listen to audio books? I'm normally a podcast listener but every now and then I love having something longer that I can really settle into - especially if I'm travelling lots or home alone.

Finding one you like though, can be a little bit tricky. It took me a little while to adjust to being read to but I've since listened to lots of great audio books, and really respect the special craft that is reading books out loud. Right now I'm listening to Helen Garner's latest book Everywhere I Look, and it's excellent because she reads it herself. Here are two more audio books read by their authors:

So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

As for fiction, I often listen to books that I've been meaning to read but never got around to or use it as a way to try out new authors. Here are a few I've loved in the past:

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
Barracuda by Christos Tsiolkas
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (which my friend Kristy recommended. It was a lot of fun)

And one more thing - I use BorrowBox from my local library, which I think most Australian libraries have. It's not the easiest catalogue to navigate but I've found and reserved lots of great titles for free.