what our editor loved this month

Howdy, frankie friends. Welcome to the first edition of a new little column that I’m excited to share with you – our lovely subscribers.

Every so often, I’ll share my favourite little bits and pieces from the month. Let’s get into it:

READING

The Love Hypothesis | Plot Twist

I’ve been loving getting stuck into some lighthearted (occasionally smutty) romance novels this year. Earlier this month, I popped into my local bookshop to see what they have on offer. I picked up Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis, as I devoured her latest book Deep End earlier in the year. I also picked up one of the bookshop’s recommendations, Plot Twist by Breea Keenan.

Both books did not disappoint – I’d rate them a solid 4.5/5 stars. While The Love Hypothesis delivered all the light-and-fluffy (and sexy) escapism that I needed, Plot Twist was a much more tender read, and deals with gritty stuff like grief and single parenting.

WATCHING

Untamed | The Four Seasons

Last Sunday was one of those Sundays where you live on the lounge and only get up to make the occasional greasy meal. (It was great.) I watched the entirety of Netflix’s new miniseries, Untamed. Set in Yosemite National Park, the show stars Eric Bana as a moody special agent who is tasked with investigating a death in the park. Sam Neill is also in it! The show was dark, disturbing, thrilling and really, really good.

I clearly have a pattern, because the weekend before last, I also watched all of season one of The Four Seasons. Starring Tina Fey, Steve Carell and style icon Colman Domingo, the series follows a group of middle-aged long-time friends as they go on various trips together over the course of (you guessed it) four seasons. It’s super-funny, as can be expected, but is also filled with heart-breaking moments. It deals with the question: what do you do when your mate is being a bit of a dick to their partner, who is also your mate? I’m very pleased by the news that it has been renewed for a second season.

DOING

Mulled wine | books in bars | sleepovers

Have you been outside lately? Yeah? Then I don’t need to tell you that Melbourne has been horrendous lately. To remedy the deep sense of dread that permeates through my body when I’m low on vitamin D, I have come up with the perfect triangle of un-sadness: homemade mulled wine, brewed using cask red, apple juice, sliced oranges, cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise; rainy days spent sitting in cosy pubs with a good book to keep me company; sleepovers with my friends during which we watch trashy reality TV, colour in and do facemasks. (You don’t need to be a school kid to enjoy a snack-filled girly sleepover!!)

That’s all for today. Make sure to get outside (even if it’s only to walk to the pub with your book), see your mates, and rest up on the lounge with a bloody good TV show. Ta ta!