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Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films and TV shows we’re watching, and the music we’re listening to.


Michael Skinner is reading The Nix by Nathan Hill

I’m about a third of the way into Nathan Hill’s sprawling, tragicomic family drama and I’m loving it so far. Samuel is a middling academic and video game addict who is forced to confront his past when his estranged mother comes hurtling, very publicly, back into his life. The narrative alternates between Samuel’s slightly pathetic adult existence and his suburban childhood. His childhood memories, particularly his relationship with Bishop Fall, are especially dark and hilarious. It’s highly readable too!

Crab Day is an album that’s been on high rotation at the moment. Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon splits the difference between Nico and the Fall to create a jangly, post-punk album that’s at turns lulling and abrasive.


Bronte Coates is reading Peggy Guggenheim by Francine Prose

I was recently gifted a lovely hardback copy of Francine Prose’s biography of Peggy Guggenhein. The book is part of the Jewish Lives series – a series of short biographies dedicated to illuminating the breadth and complexity of the Jewish experience. The looming figure of Peggy Guggenheim is notable for her scandalous person life, as much as for her indelible contribution to modern art, and Prose offers readers a lively, non-filtered and non-judgmental portrait of a fascinating woman. Part travelogue, part art history and part life story – Peggy Guggenheim is a perfect for readers who love stories of ‘difficult’ women’ (as in complicated, actual women).


Amy Vuleta is reading A Modern Way to Eat by Anna Jones

I realise this is kind of cheating, but this week I’ve been ‘reading’ (ie. eating) my way through some of the excellent baking recipes in A Modern Way to Eat.

I only own a handful of cookbooks, and Jones’s book is by far the one I have cooked from the most. On the weekend I baked the refined-sugar-free ‘Carrot and Cardamom Cupcakes’ (with maple cream cheese frosting, of course) to take along to a casual Sunday evening dinner, and a ‘Coconut and Vanilla Loaf’ to enjoy for morning tea at work throughout the week. Also, sometimes for breakfast. Also, once or twice in the afternoon when I get home from work.

The loaf is nutty and delicious, flavoured by coconut, coconut oil, coconut flour and coconut sugar. It’s my new favourite thing to eat and, like all of the recipes in A Modern Way to Eat, just SO easy to make.