The ‘Thursday Murder Club’ movie, Molly Ringwald, and a ballet-inspired workout playlist
The giveaway this week is Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey.
Just a short one today, peeps.
Thanks heaps to those legends who’ve answered my lil 4-question survey I launched last week. If you haven’t already clicked through and would like to do me a solid, I’d love for you to add your opinions so I can get a better overall view of how to grow this Substack. It’ll only take a minute (for real!) – check it out here.
Despite the best of intentions I held at the start of the year, writing has reclaimed its former territory, encroaching on my leisure time on the weekends. I’m not whether I’m obsessed, poor at time measurement and boundaries, or the whole way that I work needs an overhaul. I suspect a mixture of all three. I do seem to be making progress, though, so at least the extra time I’m spending is yielding (slow) results.
This past week an article I wrote earlier in the year came out in MiNDFOOD magazine, the May issue with Jamie Lee Curtis on the cover. It’s a piece on expanding your circle of friends when you’re an adult. It was so much easier making new pals as a kid, don’t you think? Anyway, the piece looks at expert advice to make it easier once you’re past your teens and life takes over. Hopefully useful for people.
Have a good one, folks.
News
1. One of my favourite series of crime novels in recent times, The Thursday Murder Club, has spawned a movie with Steven Spielberg producing. At least, it’s in the works, and the latest news is that it will begin filming later this year. *Happy dance* For the uninitiated, the books are centred on a retirement village where a group of four seniors decide to try their hand at solving cold cases. There’s ex-spy the practical and capable Elizabeth Best; brash-but-loveable ex-union activist Ron Richie; former nurse and current romantic Joyce Meadowcroft; and kind, reclusive ex-psychiatrist Ibrahim Arif. The characters start strong in the first book and only get better as the series-of-three-so-far goes along. Can’t wait to see who gets cast as the characters, especially my fave, Joyce.
2. Rock-stacking sounds lovely and meditative as a sport, and delightfully a little odd. Plus, I’m pretty sure my extreme lack of talent in anything to do with cardio wouldn’t impair my ability here. I’m so impressed by this strange talent and the beautiful sculptures it creates, but bemused by the fact that such a seemingly innocent activity has still managed to spark controversy somehow – by potentially leading bushwalkers off course and interfering with nature. Maybe just build your leaning tower-o’-rocks, take a pic, and put them back where you found them? I’m tempted to try it some time.
Reviews
1. The Ugly Truth by L. C. North is different from what I’m normally drawn to in a crime novel. Released in March, its story is told via pretend interview and YouTube video transcripts, along with tweets, emails, and diary entries. This is not usually my preferred way to read a story, but here it really works, as the novel is themed around the toll toxic social media comments and tabloid articles can take on someone’s mental health. Why has British hotel heiress disappeared? Has her controlling father whisked her away to protect her from herself or is she being held prisoner? In an era where, more than ever, sales and clicks are more important than the truth, who can we believe? I really enjoyed this book, which started strong and then really accelerated towards the finish line – I stayed up late to read the last 50 pages or so. I reckon this one would make an excellent holiday/beach read.
2. This piece in The Guardian is a fascinating look at where Molly Ringwald went between the classic teen movies she made in the ‘80s and landing in Riverdale playing Archie’s mum in recent years. Her career has taken some unexpected turns, but maybe the silver thread amongst the already intriguing storyline of the piece is how she veered around potential landmines to do with work-life balance and finding her post-teen niche as an actress and avoiding predators in the industry to carve out a fulfilling life. Have we really moved on in terms of banning bullying and assault and coercion in the film industry specifically, but in also in society generally? What’s ‘okay’ has certainly changed, but are we really behaving better or just hiding it better? Much to think about here.
3. After using a sample, I can see why Kate Somerville’s ExfoliKate Cleanser was voted by Mecca customers in 2020. It’s cruelty-free, has a slightly medicated minty smell and gently foams up when applied on a wet face. Afterwards, my skin was nice and clean without that stretched-taut feeling you sometimes get with cleansers. I’m still faithful to my regular face-cleaning goop, Ole Henriksen’s Truth Juice, but this one makes a nice change.
Giveaway
The winner of Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid from last week’s giveaway is Denise Mills. Nice work! Denise, I’ve emailed you.
This week’s giveaway is Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey. Type your name and email address in here to enter.
Playlist of the Week
Ballet-inspired stretching workout:
1. Golden – Harry Styles
2. Into You – Ariana Grande
3. Better When I’m Dancin’ – Meghan Trainor
4. Hold Me – Fleetwood Mac
5. Best Friends – The Weeknd
6. Dandelions – Ruth B.
7. Believer – Imagine Dragons
8. Sunny – Boney M
9. No Expectations - Bahamas
10. I Can’t Stay – The Killers
11. Reason To Stay – Olivia Dean
12. Smokin Out The Window – Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
13. Human Behaviour - Bjork
14. Sweet Dream are Made of This – The Hampton String Quartet
15. Where Are You Now – Lost Frequencies, Calum Scott